Austria strengthening security ahead of Bush visit

Austria strengthening security ahead of Bush visit

Authorities cordoned off parts of central Vienna and stationed police officers on virtually every downtown corner in a massive operation to secure the Austrian capital. Bush was arriving Tuesday night for a summit on Wednesday with top European Union officials.

A police bomb squad used a remote-control robot to blow up a suitcase and at least two other suspicious packages, including one that had been taped to an electricity junction box and had wires and an antenna poking out of it, and another containing wires and cans, officials said.

Austria, which holds the EU's rotating presidency, is deploying some 3,000 police officers in the capital, including 1,000 who will focus on anti-Bush demonstrations, according to the AP.