City in lockdown.

Sydney residents are dreading three days commencing on September 2. That's when world leaders - including President George Bush - will descend on this city for the APEC conference, and make Sydney the number one target for world terrorism.
The city will go into lockdown and special police powers will be in force to regulate the area between Macquarie, King and George streets and Circular Quay. Citizens within those boundaries can expect to be stopped and searched and there is every likelihood that crack troops will be on hand to supply the heavy firepower necessary should a major terrorist strike develop.
Citizens will find normal life almost impossible. With Circular Quay sealed off the movement of ferries will be curtailed. Three stations on the city circle line will be sealed and no trains will stop at those destinations.
Many firms are wisely considering closing their doors and encouraging staff to take several days annual leave rather than undergo trauma trying to get to work for what would be unproductive days anyway because of lack of customers. The government is planning to encourage this thinking by declaring one day of the APEC conference a public holiday.
It is hard to see what Sydney will gain - except inconvenience. We are a world city - but the world knows us well because of such icons as the Opera house and the harbour bridge - and recent exposure by way of the 2000 Olympics.
Perhaps it is time to stop and have a long, hard think before the next major world event. The nation's capital is Canberra - and while that city can not hold a candle to Sydney for beauty or prestige - the capital is usually where world events are held in other countries.