-Caveat Lector- From IP: 9/26/2000 BBC Tuesday, 26 September, 2000, 12:15 GMT 13:15 UK Violence flares in Prague Hundreds of riot police are blocking the bridge By BBC News Online's Steve Schifferes in Prague Thousands of anti-globalisation protesters from around the world have confronted police in Prague. The protesters, estimated at about 5,000, are trying to shut down the Prague Congress Centre, where the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund are holding their annual meetings. IMF officials mounted a defence of their work, saying economic globalisation required more co-operation, and institutions to organise it. The IMF's new managing director, Horst Koehler, said if his organisation would not already exist, it would have to be invented. Molotov @#%$tails Hundreds of Czech riot police, equipped with water cannons and armoured personnel carriers, are meanwhile blocking a bridge leading to the venue. Protesters wearing balaclavas and wielding sticks threw stones, bottles and several home-made "Molotov @#%$tails" at the police. Several officers were set alight before the flames were doused by colleagues, Reuters news agency reported, adding that a number of stand-offs were taking place. Another group of anarchist demonstrators tried to break into the conference centre from the rear. Riot police raced to block them, as helicopters circled overhead and sirens wailed, while the sound of explosions, either tear gas or fireworks set off by protesters filled the air. Ambulances were seen rushing to the spot, and Czech radio reported there there were several minor injuries on both sides after the police used water cannon to break up that protets. The protesters say their aim is the abolition of the two institutions, which they blame for growing poverty, inequality and environmental deterioration around the world. And they plan to blockade the conference delegates within the complex. There have been fears that the protests might repeat the violence that marred demonstrations against the World Trade Organisation in Seattle and against the IMF and World Bank in Washington in April. Prague deserted Hundreds of other Czech police are ringing the Congress Centre, determined to prevent the protesters from reaching the delegates. Meanwhile the centre of Prague is deserted, with schools on holiday and many shops closed and boarded up, and police on every street corner. The Czech Prime Minister, Milos Zeman, told the BBC that he thought the demonstrations would be relatively weak, with no repeat of the violence that had took place during previous protests. Buses started transporting the 15,000 delegates at 0500 local time to the conference centre amid tight security. The IMF has said it cannot guarantee that delegates will be able to leave the building once the demonstrations start. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are unwelcomed. Substance—not soap-boxing—please! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, mis- directions and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRLgives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html <A HREF="http://peach.ease.lsoft.com/archives/ctrl.html">Archives of [EMAIL PROTECTED]</A> http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ <A HREF="http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/">ctrl</A> ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
