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NICE SUMMIT
Riviera runs red as activists gather

by Jon Henly

The mayor of Nice, Jaques Peyrat, was not taking any chances yesterday: between the gendarmes, the riot police, anti-terrorist units, and undercover intelligence, he had 6,000 officers on hand.

That was roughly one police officer for every 10 demonstrators parading through the rain-drenched streets of the riviera resort demanding such things as an end to genetically modified crops, more support for small farmers, and greater restrictions on world trade.

Most of those demonstrating before the summit opens were trade unionists calling for greater social  rights and an improved charter of fundamental rights.

Under a sea of red banners, French, Italian, spanish trade unionists rubbed shoulders with those from Poland, Slovenia and Luxembourg.  some Dutchmen were dressed up as Father Christmas.

Anti-globalisers organised a separate but equally jovial procession.  "Our march is not in competition with theirs" said Michel Rousseau, an anti-unemployment activist.  "We do not want the  charter to be enforced by law, because it's a lousy charter."

Dancing the tango and singing in the rain, the protesters gathered in the city centre before splitting in two for their respective marches.  The trade unionists say that the charter, much watered-down since it first appeared is still a useful starting point, but must be enforced by law.  At present, it may become a non-binding declaration.

Up to 40,000 protesters from about 90 organisations in 25 countries - French small farmers, Italian Zapatistas, British socialists, Turkish Workers Against Globalisation and Portuguese communists - are expected today.

As protesters arrived in Nice, the banners being  unfurled included "All rights for everyone",  "Say No to mad cows and GM crops", "Down with social dumping", "End tax havens now", "Down with liberalism", and "Capitalism Kills".

The riot police had their turn yesterday evening, firing teargas to disperse a crowd of about 300 bottle-throwing militants, mostly Italians, protesting near the railway station.

The crowd was showing solidarity with 1.000 Italian activists, known as the Ya Bastas ("Enough"), whose Global Action Express train from Italy was cancelled.

The mayor failed to lay on special treatment, too.  "There are people who are going to protest," he said.  "That is their right...But it is not my responsibility to provide  them with food, a bed for the night and  all  the rest."

"My responsibility is to make sure the heads of state can work in relative calm."