Prague meetings end on subdued note

In this story: 'Need to act together' Encouraging non-violence RELATED STORIES, SITES

LONDON, England -- Basking in the triumph of Communist collapse 11 years ago, soon-to-be anointed Czech President Vaclav Havel proclaimed to his jubilant compatriots: "Your government, people, has returned to you!"

This week, as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund adjourned 10 days of joint meetings in Prague marred by violent street clashes on Tuesday between anti-global protesters and Czech riot police, Havel struck the victor's pose again as the capital's streets were returned to its people.

"The police did not let the germ of aggressiveness infect its own ranks and defended the place it was to defend," Havel said on Thursday after paying a thank-you visit to a local police station, in remarks carried by the main Czech news agency, CTK.

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The Czech president was not alone in claiming victory as the dust settled on a shell-shocked capital. Joining the winner's parade were the demonstrators, as well as the IMF and World Bank Group -- each of which claimed significant gains for their respective causes.

Both groups were also united in denouncing the violence that erupted after a hardcore group of anarchists hijacked what organisers said was intended to be a peaceful demonstration against the banks' policies on poverty, debt relief and the environment.

Chastened by violence at past meetings, in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, the bankers and financial captains gathered in Prague this year strove to strike a compassionate tone in their public remarks.

In an address to delegates on Wednesday, IMF director Horst Koehler cited Havel's conviction that it is "a dangerous mistake to view humanity as permanently divided into rich and poor. We need to act together in partnership and solidarity, mindful of our common humanity."

But in his remarks to a closing news conference on Thursday, Koehler insisted the protests had not impeded the delegates' agenda.

"These violent forces did not distract us from our work, which was to find ways to make globalisation work for the benefit of all," he said.

On Wednesday, India's finance minister, Yashwant Sinha, dispensed with diplomatic niceties as he denounced the riots. "Violence has no place in a civilised society and I stand here on behalf of India, the land of Mahatma Gandhi who espoused the cause of non-violence, and I condemn the violence that was unleashed here."

On the same day Sinha issued his indictment, delegates -- and demonstrators -- got another surprise when South African Finance Minister Trevor Manuel, the meetings' chairman, decided to wrap up the formal sessions a day early, insisting that the delegates had completed their work ahead of time. Protesters rejoiced at the news.

At their height, the street skirmishes saw balaclava-clad groups of anarchists hurling sticks, Molotov cocktails and cobblestones prised from Prague's medieval streets at riot police. The latter -- many facing their first big test of Western-style crowd control -- responded with water canons, tear gas and batons.

By Thursday, the Czech Interior Ministry said 859 people had been arrested, including 130 non-Czech demonstrators, some of whom emerged from brief spells behind bars with allegations of abuse at the hands of Czech police. The Interior Ministry has denied any mistreatment.

In the aftermath of the clashes -- during which rampaging protesters lay siege to icons of big business such as McDonald's, Kentucky Fried Chicken, Dunkin Donuts and a Mercedes showroom -- organisers disavowed the violence.

"We never actually said that we could keep control," said Chelsea Mozen, a spokeswoman for INPEG, the main group behind many of the demonstrations. "We tried in as many ways as possible to encourage non-violence."

Merrell Tuck, a spokeswoman for the annual meetings, noted that many of the groups demonstrating managed to refrain from violent acts. She cited Jubilee 2000, a group that advocates for debt relief, as one example of an organisation that brought constructive dialogue to the meetings.

"I think that peaceful protest and demands for dialogue have a much bigger effect than violence," Tuck said. "The truth is it's the groups like Jubilee 2000 and Oxfam that are really probably being heard substantively."

Reuters contributed to this report.

Prague talks end early after violence
September 27, 2000
Prague protests turn violent
September 26, 2000
Up to 10,000 demonstrate in D.C. against world finance meetings
April 16, 2000

International Monetary Fund
World Bank Group
Government of the Czech Republic
INPEG
Jubilee 2000

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