G8: 'Idiot' protestors slammed

2005-07-05 16:51

London / Edinburgh - Scottish police warned on Tuesday that violent protestors aiming to target the G8 summit at Gleneagles would meet a "robust response" from the security forces.

Speaking after the arrest of up to 100 anti-G8 protestors in Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, after violent clashes in the city late on Monday, police chief John Vine said actions that compromised the safety of the public, peaceful protestors or police officers would not be tolerated.

Up to 20 people, including some police officers, were injured in the clashes.

"We will deal robustly with any people who want to break the law, let's make that clear", Vine said.

'Idiots'

Live 8 concert organicer Bob Geldof, who has called for "a million people" to converge on Edinburgh during the summit to protest against world poverty, on Tuesday condemned as "idiots" those who took part in Monday's riots.

Police said the demonstrators had come from "across Europe".

Police had been bombarded with paving stones and bricks during hours of pitched battles with officers in the city centre.

About 5 000 people are expected to march within 500m of the Gleneagles Hotel, about 60km northwest of Edinburgh, on the opening day of the summit on Wednesday.

Security fence

A huge security fence has been erected around the golfing hotel, but protest organisers said they would "try to get a word in the ear" of world leaders.

US President George W. Bush, Russia's Vladimir Putin as well as the heads of government of Canada, Japan, Germany, Italy and France will be attending the summit hosted by Britain as the current G8 chair.

Vine said police were aware that events like G8 summits were "attracting" violent protestors.

"However, we have large numbers of police officers who are well prepared and well equipped should anything arise," added the police chief.

Geldof said the clashes seen so far were a "side issue" compared with the "extreme violence" of suffering in the developing world. - Sapa-dpa

- SAPA