August 11th, 2006, 18:20
Dame Kiri flees 'unsafe' UK
August 11, 2006 - 2:36PM
Opera diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa says she no longer feels safe in Britain and is returning to live in New Zealand soon.
She said today the terrorist plot uncovered in the UK yesterday was a reminder of the "freedom of feeling safe" that New Zealand provided.
British airports were plunged into chaos yesterday as flights were cancelled and security increased after police and security chiefs thwarted a plan to detonate bombs on aircraft flying between the UK and US.
Dame Kiri was in Wellington to promote a project to boost the declining numbers of kereru, New Zealand's native wood pigeon.
"It's a horrible day today. We're looking at a peaceful situation (in New Zealand) and we've got a horrible situation going on in the rest of the world," she said.
"We're very lucky to have the peace that we've got in this country.
Dame Kiri will return to the UK in two weeks. She said things would calm down but wouldn't get better.
"This is not just one group of people, there are thousands. There are many more coming up behind."
She didn't have an answer to the terrorism issue, she said, and nor did anyone else. There was no option but to remain diligent.
"In our country, for the moment, I feel safe."
When asked if she felt safe in Britain, Dame Kiri said: "Not really, no."
She said she didn't travel on London Underground trains, but described a friend who did, wearing special underwear.
"His underclothing - it's not synthetic so it won't burn into his skin. A lot of people are (doing things) like that. It's not nice."
She said she had already considered returning to live in New Zealand, and would now be doing so "very soon".
-- NZPA
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/dam ... 76679.html (http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/dame-kiri-flees-unsafe-uk/2006/08/11/1154803076679.html)
August 11, 2006 - 2:36PM
Opera diva Dame Kiri Te Kanawa says she no longer feels safe in Britain and is returning to live in New Zealand soon.
She said today the terrorist plot uncovered in the UK yesterday was a reminder of the "freedom of feeling safe" that New Zealand provided.
British airports were plunged into chaos yesterday as flights were cancelled and security increased after police and security chiefs thwarted a plan to detonate bombs on aircraft flying between the UK and US.
Dame Kiri was in Wellington to promote a project to boost the declining numbers of kereru, New Zealand's native wood pigeon.
"It's a horrible day today. We're looking at a peaceful situation (in New Zealand) and we've got a horrible situation going on in the rest of the world," she said.
"We're very lucky to have the peace that we've got in this country.
Dame Kiri will return to the UK in two weeks. She said things would calm down but wouldn't get better.
"This is not just one group of people, there are thousands. There are many more coming up behind."
She didn't have an answer to the terrorism issue, she said, and nor did anyone else. There was no option but to remain diligent.
"In our country, for the moment, I feel safe."
When asked if she felt safe in Britain, Dame Kiri said: "Not really, no."
She said she didn't travel on London Underground trains, but described a friend who did, wearing special underwear.
"His underclothing - it's not synthetic so it won't burn into his skin. A lot of people are (doing things) like that. It's not nice."
She said she had already considered returning to live in New Zealand, and would now be doing so "very soon".
-- NZPA
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/dam ... 76679.html (http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/dame-kiri-flees-unsafe-uk/2006/08/11/1154803076679.html)