Security measures applied for presidential inauguration

Prague, March 5 (CTK) - The Czech police will introduce security measures during the presidential inuaguration of Milos Zeman at Prague Castle and in its surroundings on Friday similar to those applied for visits of important foreign politicians, national police deputy chief Tomas Kuzel told CTK Tuesday.

The measures will not be as strict as when U.S. President Barack Obama visited Prague in April 2009.

"Along with our measures, security measures on the U.S. side were applied then," Kuzel said about Obama's visit.

As a result, the visitors to the Hradcanske namesti square next to the castle, which is the official seat of Czech presidents, will not have to walk through security door frame detectors.

People with larger bags must reckon with possible checks of their luggage. If people do not let the police check their luggage, they will not be allowed to enter the square, Kuzel said.

No poles or larger objects that might hurt anybody can be carried to the square. Visitors may take banners made of cloth with them, however.

About 800 members and supporters of the extra-parliamentary Party of Citizens' Rights (SPOZ), whose honorary chairman is Zeman, will come to the square for the inauguration, SPOZ head Vratislav Mynar said.

Kuzel would not give any details about the number and positions of the policemen involved for security reasons.

New president Zeman will lay a wreath at the statue of president Tomas Garrigue Masaryk, the founder of independent Czechoslovakia, at the square shortly before noon.

A part of the Prague Castle compound will be closed, namely the first courtyard and during a military parade also the third courtyard. The castle's tourist premises will open only at 12:30.

Traffic in the city will not be restricted, apart from the Hradcanske namesti square and the streets leading to it.

Zeman, former socialist prime minister who emerged victorious from the direct presidential contest in January, will arrive at Prague Castle at 9:00. One hour later, a joint session of the two houses of parliament will start, during which Zeman will be sworn-in. A 20-minute military parade will follow at 11:00.

Afterwards, the president will visit St Vitus's Cathedral to lay flowers at the grave of St Wenceslas. Shortly before noon, he will lay a wreath at Masaryk's statue at the Hradcanske square where he will meet citizens. The inauguration programme will end by a lunch of Zeman and other political representatives that is to last until 14:00.