London "faces gridlock" during Bush visit

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=401430&section=news ^ | Mon 10 November, 2003 12:53

[thefracturedman]

London "faces gridlock" during Bush visit Mon 10 November, 2003 12:53

LONDON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush's visit to Britain next week could bring London to a standstill as fears of terror attacks and protests against the Iraq war force police to mount one of the capital's biggest ever security operations.

London's Metropolitan Police said on Monday it will deploy "all the resources necessary" during the trip, which starts on November 19, prompting fears that large parts of the city may be cordoned-off.

Although precise details of the president's itinerary and route have not been released, the police acknowledge there will be some security cordons.

"We will have to close off some roads," a spokeswoman at Scotland Yard said although she added it was "speculation" that large parts of the London would be shut down.

The police will be all too well aware just how attractive a target the queen, President Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair would be in the current climate.

In September, Sir John Stevens, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner, said a terror attack on Britain was almost inevitable.

"We are at the highest level of alert, I think, that we have ever been," he said.

Worries about a possible attack have been compounded by concerns about demonstrations.

A big march on Trafalgar Square has been organised for November 20 which will culminate in a symbolic toppling of a makeshift statue of Bush to evoke the dragging down of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's statue during the Iraq war.

Organisers have said they expect upwards of 100,000 people, a realistic assessment after an anti-war demonstration in February brought more than one million Britons on to the streets.

Bush's visit to Britain, at the invitation of the queen, will be the first state visit of a U.S. president since Ronald Reagan's trip in 1982. Back then, the president was warmly welcomed by the public and Reagan enjoyed a well-publicised horseback ride with the queen at Windsor Castle.

For his state visit Bush may be forced to forego some of the usual ceremonial aspects that normally accompany a state visit. Security worries may preclude any trips in open-topped horse-drawn carriages and prolonged walks along red carpets.

[glock rocks]

Welcome to Free Republic.

What's your opinion?

[buffyt]

We went on vacation in London in 2000. We didn't try to drive there. The traffic was wild enough in a taxi. We rent a car and take off in Europe but not London. The traffic, plus driving on the left side of the road. Seemed to me that our taxi driver had a lot of trouble driving in London himself.....

[dead]

Prince Charles is inviting the Oxford Rugby team over to help him weather the lockdown.

Not that there's anything wrong with that...

[concerned about politics]

could bring London to a standstill as fears of terror attacks and protests against the Iraq war force police to mount one of the capital's biggest ever security operations.

So who's at fault here? Bush is just visiting.
The socialist/communist group ANSWER is starting all the trouble and allowing possable terrorism via the chaos.
If the British are worried, ask the lefties to behave themselves. They could be responsible for massive deaths if they keep having temper tantrums like this.

[rintense]

Is Bush meeting with Prince Charles? If so, Bush better watch his arse! ;)

[Voteamerica]

This is more liberal crap from Ruters. Bush will be welcomed in the UK, we just won't hear about it. They know as well as we do that Bush is protecting them.

[theDentist]

So? Did they whine each time Clinton visited?

[concerned about politics]

Is Bush meeting with Prince Charles? If so, Bush better watch his arse! ;)

As soon as I heard of the "scandle", I thought "Homosexual lobby is behind this."
It justifies their existance if they can claim a noble leader is "queer too."
They even tried to say Christ (God in the flesh who killed sodomites numerous times, BTW) was a queer!

[glock rocks]

So, what's your opinion, thefracturedman?

[glock rocks]

[glock rocks]

[glock rocks]

ya gotta be quick these days!

[Constitution Day]

ya gotta be quick these days!

I haven't been the first on a ZOT in so long!
Work does that. :(

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Sometimes I wish they wouldn't be so quick to zot someone like the du'er. Like my cat, I like to play with my catch before I finally finish it off.

Not that this dude apparently had the guts to stick around and debate with us.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Wonder what would happen if everyone in FR decided to get a du membership at the same time?

[glock rocks]

My guess is that it was the daily disruptor. One hit wonder.

Comes back daily with a medley of his tune, and the kitties ax him before we get to play.

[Liberty Valance]

Fly AF One 1000 feet over London, then on to Scotland for 18 holes of golf with Tony Blair and Sean Connery. He-he

[Ann Archy]

London traffic moves at a snail's pace anyway....who would notice the difference?? The MAIN shopping street, Oxford St. is ONE lane each way in the busy part!! YIKES!

[Cobra64]

I would not surprise me if this will be "reported" all over the alphabet networks. "See, Bush caused gridlock in London!!!"