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Security high for key Nato summit | Security high for key Nato summit |
(20 minutes later) | |
A massive French-German security operation is in place as US President Barack Obama and other leaders arrive for a key Nato summit in Strasbourg. | A massive French-German security operation is in place as US President Barack Obama and other leaders arrive for a key Nato summit in Strasbourg. |
French police were still holding more than 100 of the 300 people arrested on Thursday when masked protesters smashed bus shelters and burnt rubbish bins. | French police were still holding more than 100 of the 300 people arrested on Thursday when masked protesters smashed bus shelters and burnt rubbish bins. |
Some 25,000 French police are set to patrol protests which could attract tens of thousands of demonstrators. | Some 25,000 French police are set to patrol protests which could attract tens of thousands of demonstrators. |
Several hundred German soldiers are at two sites where activists are expected. | Several hundred German soldiers are at two sites where activists are expected. |
The German town of Kehl and the resort of Baden-Baden are also hosting Nato events for the alliance's 60th-anniversary summit. | The German town of Kehl and the resort of Baden-Baden are also hosting Nato events for the alliance's 60th-anniversary summit. |
Mr Obama flew in from London, where he attended the G20 summit. | Mr Obama flew in from London, where he attended the G20 summit. |
Before the Nato meeting, he will hold talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Strasbourg and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Baden-Baden. | Before the Nato meeting, he will hold talks with French President Nicolas Sarkozy in Strasbourg and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Baden-Baden. |
He is expected to seek more support from America's Nato allies to fight the Taleban in Afghanistan. | He is expected to seek more support from America's Nato allies to fight the Taleban in Afghanistan. |
Scores of people were arrested in Thursday's protests | |
However, the Nato secretary general said it could be difficult to persuade European countries because of planned Afghan laws which he says violate human rights. | However, the Nato secretary general said it could be difficult to persuade European countries because of planned Afghan laws which he says violate human rights. |
Jaap de Hoop Scheffer was talking about a planned law that, among other things, sanctions rape within marriage. | Jaap de Hoop Scheffer was talking about a planned law that, among other things, sanctions rape within marriage. |
He told the BBC: "How can I defend this, and how can the British defend this, when our boys and girls are dying there in defence of universal values, and here is a law that fundamentally violates human rights. | He told the BBC: "How can I defend this, and how can the British defend this, when our boys and girls are dying there in defence of universal values, and here is a law that fundamentally violates human rights. |
"That worries me greatly." | "That worries me greatly." |
France last month announced it would be fully re-integrated into Nato. | France last month announced it would be fully re-integrated into Nato. |
NATO: KEY MOMENTS Founded 1949, largely to block Soviet expansion into EuropeTwenty-six member states who vow to defend each otherMilitarily dominated by the USActed in non-member state for first time in 1995 - implementing military aspects of Bosnia peace accordOperated outside Europe for first time in 2003 - in Afghanistan New doctrine for new threats | NATO: KEY MOMENTS Founded 1949, largely to block Soviet expansion into EuropeTwenty-six member states who vow to defend each otherMilitarily dominated by the USActed in non-member state for first time in 1995 - implementing military aspects of Bosnia peace accordOperated outside Europe for first time in 2003 - in Afghanistan New doctrine for new threats |
For decades it has stood at a distance from the alliance, taking part in military operations but not in its central planning and decision-making. | For decades it has stood at a distance from the alliance, taking part in military operations but not in its central planning and decision-making. |
Protests have already begun, with police in Strasbourg firing tear gas and rubber bullets as they forced a crowd back on Thursday. | Protests have already begun, with police in Strasbourg firing tear gas and rubber bullets as they forced a crowd back on Thursday. |
Groups of youths, many wearing hoods or scarves, walked through a suburb of the city carrying banners saying: "Stop repression in London and Strasbourg". | Groups of youths, many wearing hoods or scarves, walked through a suburb of the city carrying banners saying: "Stop repression in London and Strasbourg". |
Bus stops and vehicles were vandalised, shop windows smashed and a barricade put up on one street. | Bus stops and vehicles were vandalised, shop windows smashed and a barricade put up on one street. |
One protester rammed a pole through the front window of a police vehicle. | One protester rammed a pole through the front window of a police vehicle. |
A passenger in the car appeared to be holding a handgun as it quickly reversed. | A passenger in the car appeared to be holding a handgun as it quickly reversed. |
In a separate incident, AFP reported that a German photographer had been taken to hospital after being injured in the stomach by a rubber bullet. | In a separate incident, AFP reported that a German photographer had been taken to hospital after being injured in the stomach by a rubber bullet. |
An eyewitness who asked not to be named told the BBC that riot vans and water cannon had been seen heading towards the protesters' official camp in Ganzau, south of the city. | An eyewitness who asked not to be named told the BBC that riot vans and water cannon had been seen heading towards the protesters' official camp in Ganzau, south of the city. |
HAVE YOUR SAYNATO came into existence in a period when Cold War hostilities had become quite strong. What's the meaning of its existence in today's world?Deboshree, Delhi Send us your comments | HAVE YOUR SAYNATO came into existence in a period when Cold War hostilities had become quite strong. What's the meaning of its existence in today's world?Deboshree, Delhi Send us your comments |
New leader | New leader |
At the talks, the state leaders are expected to consider relations with Russia and possibly announce a new secretary general. | At the talks, the state leaders are expected to consider relations with Russia and possibly announce a new secretary general. |
The current secretary general steps down at the end of July. | The current secretary general steps down at the end of July. |
Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen is the frontrunner, but Turkey has expressed opposition to his appointment, based on his stance over the Danish publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in 2006, and the broadcasting of a Kurdish TV station in Denmark. | Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen is the frontrunner, but Turkey has expressed opposition to his appointment, based on his stance over the Danish publication of cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in 2006, and the broadcasting of a Kurdish TV station in Denmark. |
Speaking in London hours before the summit began in Strasbourg, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "I look at [his candidacy] negatively." | Speaking in London hours before the summit began in Strasbourg, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said: "I look at [his candidacy] negatively." |
Are you Strasbourg or Baden-Baden? Are you planning to take part in demonstrations? Send us your views on the Nato summit using the form below. | Are you Strasbourg or Baden-Baden? Are you planning to take part in demonstrations? Send us your views on the Nato summit using the form below. |
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |