CZECH REPUBLIC: Police prepare for S26

PRAGUE — More than 11,000 police, mostly in riot units, will be deployed on city streets during the IMF and World Bank meeting. They will be assisted in their tasks by more than 1600 troops.

The Czech troops will deploy six armoured personnel carriers, six troop trucks, two fire engines, two MI-17 helicopters and two W3A-Sokol helicopters. All equipment will be repainted with the label "Policie", to avoid any direct linkage with the military.

About 195,000 public school students will have nearly a week of holidays, courtesy of the ministry of education. Mindful of transportation and safety concerns, the government is closing all 173 Prague schools for four days, beginning September 25.

The IMF and World Bank meeting will inconvenience city residents, with or without street protests. Residents will have to carry personal identity cards if travelling near the convention centre, which will be controlled by police units.

BY SARAH PEART & FELICITY MARTIN

From GLW issue 422