http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/11/16/1068917671421.html
Palace limits US security changes
November 17, 2003
The Queen was not amused at proposed safeguards for George Bush's visit,
reports Tim Walker in London.
Queen Elizabeth has rejected a request from President George Bush's security
advisers to bolster Buckingham Palace's structural defences against a
terrorist attack during his state visit to Britain this week.
Senior courtiers said that the Queen was not willing to countenance bomb and
airborne assault proofing that would have involved substantial alterations to
her London home.
The Americans fear that al-Qaeda terrorists are planning an attack when the
President and his wife, Laura, stay for three nights in the ground-floor
Belgian Suite at the Palace.
One courtier said: "They wanted blast and bullet-proofed windows and
curtains and some strengthening to the walls of the President's suite and
other rooms at the Palace where he would be spending time. The President's
security men seem obsessed with the idea of an airborne attack on the Palace.
"Her Majesty takes the view that no amount of strengthening of windows
and walls could protect the President in such an eventuality and that the work
would cause disruption and involve discarding original fixtures and
fittings."
The Queen has also limited the number of American security staff who will stay
at the Palace. "Her Majesty's view throughout was that since there are
going to be 5000 British police officers involved in the security operation
for the President, it's not unreasonable to expect her guests to have some
faith in their abilities
