ボストン・テロ 市街地イベント警備の点検を

The Yomiuri Shimbun April 19, 2013
Thorough checks needed for major events in urban areas
ボストン・テロ　市街地イベント警備の点検を（4月18日付・読売社説）

The recent bombing at the Boston Marathon in the United States was an act of indiscriminate terrorism that targeted a traditional event familiar even to Japanese people. We can never forgive this despicable, atrocious crime that killed and injured many people.
　日本人にもなじみの深い伝統ある米国のボストンマラソンを狙った無差別テロだ。多数の人々を死傷させた卑劣な凶悪犯罪は断じて許せない。

Two bombs exploded successively on a road along the route near the finish line as runners streamed past about four hours after the start of the race. At least three people, including an 8-year-old boy, were killed, while more than 170 others were injured in the horrible incident, some of them seriously.
　スタートから約４時間後、ランナーが続々到着するゴール近くの沿道で２発の爆弾が連続して炸裂(さくれつ)した。８歳の少年ら少なくとも３人が死亡、１７０人以上が重軽傷を負う惨事となった。

About 23,000 people, including more than 200 Japanese runners, participated in the race, with relatives, friends, Boston residents and many others cheering the participants on.
　レースには、２００人を超す日本人ランナーら約２万３０００人が参加し、家族や友人、市民ら大勢の人々が応援していた。

U.S. President Barack Obama condemned the attack, saying, "Anytime bombs are used to target innocent civilians, it is an act of terrorism." Obama expressed his determination to make every effort to arrest those responsible and determine the details of the crime.
　オバマ米大統領は、「罪のない市民を標的にしたテロ行為だ」と非難し、犯人の逮捕と全容解明に全力を挙げる決意を表明した。

It was the first terrorist bombing in the United States since the simultaneous terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.
　米国では、２００１年９月１１日の同時テロ事件後、初めての爆破テロの発生だ。

After the Sept. 11 attacks, the United States placed top priority on reinforcing antiterrorism measures and prevented many incidents from actually taking place. It discovered the hideout of the mastermind of 9/11 and killed him.
　米国は同時テロ後、テロ対策の強化を最優先し、多くの事件を未然に防いできた。同時テロの首謀者も潜伏先を突き止め、殺害した。それだけに衝撃は大きい。

These achievements make the impact of the latest twin bombing particularly strong in the United States. The incident has made the U.S. government and its people keenly aware that terrorism still exists as a real threat in everyday life.
　テロがなお、現実の脅威として身近に存在していることを痛感させられたからだ。

It is still unknown whether the bombing was committed by a terrorist organization or a single culprit. We hope U.S. authorities will conduct a thorough investigation based on material evidence and information.
　テロ組織による犯行なのか、単独犯なのか、犯人像は明らかになっていない。米当局は、物証や情報を手がかりに徹底的な捜査を行ってもらいたい。

Bombs simple yet deadly

The Federal Bureau of Investigation suspects the bombs were made from pressure cookers packed with explosives and other materials. The FBI now strongly believes they were placed in a black nylon bag or backpack.
　連邦捜査局（ＦＢＩ）は、圧力鍋の中に爆薬を詰めた仕掛け爆弾が使用され、黒いナイロン製バックパックに入れられていたとの見方を強めている。

Similar bombs are often used in terror attacks in countries such as Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. They are easily made but highly lethal as nails and other metal objects are mixed with explosives.
　同種の爆弾は、アフガニスタンやインド、パキスタンなどでテロ攻撃によく使われている。製造方法は簡単でも、クギなどの金属を混入するため殺傷力は高い。

It has been reported that the security arrangements for the Boston Marathon were thorough. However, it is difficult to employ baggage inspections and metal detectors over a wide scale to achieve complete security control in outdoor events in urban areas. The culprit focused on this vulnerability in the security arrangements.
　ボストンマラソンでは警備に万全を期していたとされる。だが、屋外の市街地イベントでは、手荷物検査や金属探知機での取り締まりを徹底するのは難しい。その警備態勢の脆弱(ぜいじゃく)さが突かれた。

Japan must be prepared

This terrorist attack is not an event of the other side of the ocean for Japan, as large marathons for ordinary people have already become common here. The Tokyo Marathon in February was a huge sporting event that drew about 37,000 runners. About 1.7 million people watched and cheered them along the route.
　今回のテロは、大規模市民マラソンが定着した日本にとっても人ごとではない。２月の東京マラソンは、３万７０００人が走る巨大イベントだった。沿道には１７０万人が詰めかけた。

Japan also needs to implement measures against terrorist attacks to guard marathons and other major events.
　日本でも、マラソンに限らず大型イベントの警備でテロに特化した対策を講じる必要があろう。

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has said the government will do its best to ensure safety. "Police are now doing everything they can to ensure security and safety at important facilities and places where many people gather," Abe said.
　安倍首相は、「警察が重要施設の警戒警備や、人が多数集まる場所の警備対策の徹底にあたっている」と、安全の確保に最善を尽くす方針を示した。

Even if security checks become stricter, citizens' cooperation with antiterrorism efforts is indispensable.
　保安検査が厳しくなっても、テロ防止への協力は欠かせない。

(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, April 18, 2013)
（2013年4月18日02時04分  読売新聞）