Thread: Police patrol Canadian town as SPP summit opens

Police patrol Canadian town as summit opens - Update
Posted on : 2007-08-20 | Author : DPA
News Category : America
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/95751.html#

Montreal - Police Monday patrolled in all-terrain vehicles as the small resort town of Montebello, Quebec, braced for thousands of right- and left-wing protestors and North American leaders prepared to discuss closer trade ties. But the town was quiet at 8 am and there was no sign yet of protestors who have denounced the summit as overly secretive, anti- democratic and subservient to the interests of big business. They are expected to arrive in busses from Ottawa in the course of the morning.

The labour unionists and social activists were to be joined by a handful of right-wing conservative Republicans from the United States who charge closer trade ties are eroding US sovereignty over its infrastructure, according to an interview with one of the protestors on CBC radio.

US President George W Bush, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mexican President Felipe Calderon are meeting with 30 prominent business leaders to discuss ways to facilitate trade among the three nations while maintaining border security.

On this crisp fall-like morning, police were stationed every 15 metres along the 3-metre-high steel fence specially erected to keep demonstrators at least a kilometre from the summit venue at the bucolic Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello resort, 80 kilometres north- east of Ottawa.

Police said they would keep protestors inside two designated areas and arrest anyone who attempts to get into the resort.

Town workers have removed rocks from gardens and other items that could be used as projectiles.

Police had warned local residents that they would be stopped at roadblocks into Montebello for explosives and weapons searches, but as of 8 am, there were no roadblocks and only trucks were being rerouted around town. A no-fly zone has been imposed over the region, as is customary at such summits.

Boat traffic on the river flowing behind the resort were being escorted through the area by police.

Under Canadian law, the right for a protest to be seen and heard is guaranteed. Government officials were providing the heads of state with a video feed from the demonstrators' venues so they can follow the protests.

In addition to trade, the leaders were expected to discuss immigration issues and working conditions for migrant labourers in Canada, sustainable energy, the safety of toys made in China and global issues such as Afghanistan, the Middle East and Iran.

Sideline issues could include US plans to help Mexico's war on illegal drugs and the question of sovereignty over Arctic waters as the ice cap melts.

A former US ambassador to Ottawa, Paul Cellucci, created a splash Sunday by siding with the Canadian government's claim to the North- West Passage.

Washington claims the passage is international waters, but Celluci told Canadian television that the passage would be easier to protect from terrorist use if it were acknowledged as Canadian territory.

Yes lets protect the global elites from the citizens that don't want there sovereignty destroyed by bankers and corrupt politician!!! I wonder if any information will come out of this meeting or if it will be another media blackout like the last meetings they had is secret?

The globalists do not like it when the peasants protest.