GERMANY: Visitors at Munich Oktoberfest beer festival not put off by attack threats during election period

Record ID: 575165

  • Title: GERMANY: Visitors at Munich Oktoberfest beer festival not put off by attack threats during election period
  • Date: 28th September 2009
  • Summary: POLICEMAN CHECKING PEOPLE'S BAG VISITORS WALKING PAST FOOD STANDS FAMILY IN TRADITIONAL BAVARIAN LEDERHOSEN EATING LUNCH ITALIAN VISITORS WITH BEER MUGS IN THEIR HANDS SCREAMING "ITALIA!" PEOPLE SEATED AT LONG TABLES EATING LUNCH (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMERICAN VISITOR FROM CALIFORNIA, BILL THOMPSON, SAYING "We have had no problems. It has been a great time, no security fears or concerns whatsoever. It felt very comfortable and we had a great time for three days." (SOUNDBITE) (English) AMERICAN VISITOR, EMANUEL HERNANDEZ, SAYING: "I really don't know that much about German politics. I'm from the U.S. We were told just to be careful. I'm here on a study abroad trip and those of us who were coming down to Oktoberfest this weekend were told to be careful." VISITORS LEAVING OKTOBERFEST / SIGN READING "BLESS GOD - GOOD BYE"
  • Embargoed: 13th October 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Germany
  • Country: Germany
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement,Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz
  • Reuters ID: LVABMR7WZ4LZKZ4XJAW7AZQWCM5B
  • Story Text: Days after the release of threats against Germany published in a new video message believed to be from the Taliban, visitors at the Munich Oktoberfest beer festival had just one thing in mind on Sunday (September 27): to have a good time.
    "We have had no problems. It has been a great time, no security fears or concerns whatsoever," said Bill Thompson, visiting from California.
    "It felt very comfortable and we had a great time for three days," Thompson added.
    Another American, student Emanuel Hernandez said "we were told just to be careful."
    "I'm here on a study abroad trip and those of us who were coming down to Oktoberfest this weekend were told to be careful," Hernandez said.
    Police presence was visible at this year's beer festival and police checked visitors' bags, a precaution which occurs every year.
    A video released two days ago by what German authorities think could be the Taliban contained threats to attack Germany and included pictures of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate, the Frankfurt skyline and the Munich Oktoberfest.
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