|
WTO meeting will bring scores of events to HK
By Teddy Ng/Tonny Chan (HK Edition)
Updated: 2005-12-07 07:38
She said it would be unfair if the press reports were accurate, adding that
South Korean farmers would only conduct peaceful protests.
"Those farmers who have behaved violently and who are being prosecuted will
not be able to leave the country," she said.
Coalition for Migrants Rights Executive Director Rex Verona said eight
participants - six from Nepal and two from Pakistan - were rejected for visas to
enter Hong Kong.
Police prepared for possible riots
Fully equipped
police are prepared to stop rioting crowds with teargas and shields if necessary
during the Sixth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference (MC6) starting
December 13, assistant police commissioner Henrique Koo said yesterday.
Sensationalistic images of violent protesters being held back with water
cannons will not play across television screens, however, because anti-riot
police will not have access to such equipment, Koo said.
The announcement was made at a Legislative Council (LegCo) security panel
meeting on the latest security arrangements for the MC6 from December 13 to 18.
Koo said frontline officers had been told to maintain the highest level of
tolerance.
"We will consider using teargas only if the situation escalates into rioting.
Otherwise, we will not use it," Koo told anxious lawmakers.
Based on ongoing communication with protesters, Koo believed most of the
protests would be peaceful.
About 7,000 foreign protesters and 3,000 from Hong Kong will assemble in Wan
Chai to oppose trade globalization. Koo said 80 per cent of the overseas
protesters would be coming from Asian countries such as South Korea, Indonesia
and the Philippines.
Police have been telling officers not to take holidays since mid-November,
and have extended their shifts from 8 hours and 45 minutes to 12 hours. Their
presence in Wan Chai North, where MC6 will be held, is being increased from an
original level of 6,000 to 9,000 policemen.
|
