goudie,
In this day and age possible terrorist attack and the presence of civic dignitaries and children unfortunately almost go hand in hand.....whether or not there is any direct military involvement.
For example - Everywhere they go, meeting both civic dignitaries and children, members of the Royal Family are also potential targets for terrorist attack. Do we stop the Royal Family meeting the public, as the two possibilities "do not sit sensibly together", or do we accept the risk and take adequate/sensible precautions to cater for the worse case?