London, Moscow herald New Year

2004-01-01 09:53

London - Wrapped up against the bitter cold, about 100 000 revellers descended on central London to welcome in the New Year, overseen by a large police presence amid an ongoing nationwide alert against a potential terrorist strike.

There was disappointment for more than 100 000 party-goers in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh, as the city's main street party was cancelled at the eleventh hour due to fears for public safety caused by gale force winds and heavy rain.

Gale force winds, rain and snow also forced the postponement of fireworks displays in the northern English cities of Liverpool and Newcastle.

In London, people young and old braved the near-freezing temperatures to descend on Trafalgar Square, nearby Leicester Square, and Parliament Square where Big Ben rang in 2004 at midnight.

Although police said they had no intelligence about a specific terror threat, fear of an attack - as well as crowd control - loomed large in their New Year's Eve planning and 3 000 officers were on duty for the celebrations.

Police checkpoints

Crowds also converged on the streets around the London Eye, the landmark giant Ferris wheel by the River Thames, where a spectacular three-minute fireworks display lit up the sky to welcome in the New Year.

In Moscow, minutes after the midnight chimes heralded in the New Year, the heavy layer of snow in Red Square was transformed into a carpet of colour under the effect of a dazzling fireworks display, and under tight security.

Revellers had to make their way through three or four police and military checkpoints, show their documents, be frisked by security and brave metal detectors before entering the fun zone between the Kremlin, the great GUM mall and the multicolored onion domes of Saint Basil's cathedral.

A whiff of alcohol on the breath and access was denied.

However the crowds, most from Russia's sprawling regions or abroad, submitted to those rigors without protest - terrorist acts such as the recent blast near the National Hotel remain fresh in every mind. Some people even jumped at the sound of the exploding fireworks.

Champagne flowed

However the strict security measures did lead to smaller than usual crowds in the capital when President Vladimir Putin's New Year address was broadcast on a huge screen placed on the GUM's facade.

But as soon as the Kremlin's clock chimed midnight, cheers went up, champagne flowed and glass littered the snow-covered pavement.

A few amateur guitar players attracted spontaneous dance parties.

- AFP