London attacks overshadow G8 summit

YESTERDAY’S events in London have overshadowed debate on the G8 summit’s two major issues: global warming and increased aid to fight poverty in Africa.

Now, today’s final session seems just as likely to be dominated by discussions on the war on terrorism.

Advocacy groups, however, were hopeful the summit could get back on track. “The violence in London only underscores the need for a strong G8 action on Africa,” said John Brennan with the Washington-based Bread for the World.

Earlier, US President George W Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair met to discuss, but could not bridge, differences over climate change.

Mr Blair had wanted a strong summit statement setting specific targets for reductions in carbon dioxide and other pollutants believed to contribute to global warming. Mr Bush argued for more flexibility, more joint scientific research and for bringing developing nations like China into a new round of talks.

“We’re not going to resolve every single issue at the G8 summit in relation to this,” Mr Blair said at a joint news conference with Mr Bush after breakfast. Shortly after that, reports of the explosions started rolling in.

“It’s particularly barbaric that this has happened on a day when people are meeting to try to help the problems of poverty in Africa, the long-term problems of climate change and the environment,” Mr Blair said later.

Elsewhere, riot police were again called to the field near the G8 summit venue Gleneagles Hotel after a small group of protesters were seen near the perimeter fence.

Seven van-loads of police officers searched the field for protesters yesterday afternoon.

On Wednesday, trouble flared at the same spot after crowds of protesters broke down a small fence and ran into the field towards the fence, prompting clashes with police wearing full riot gear. Thee protesters, one man and two women, were later escorted away from the area by police. One protester said: “They just decided they needed us out. We were going anyway.”

The incident happened as police were scaling back a security cordon at a G8 protesters’ camp in Stirling. Several arrests were made after officers found campers carrying weapons.

Metal bars, wooden poles studded with nails, lock knives and a can of pepper spray were discovered as they tried to leave the eco-village on the outskirts of Stirling, near the G8 Summit venue in Gleneagles.

A total of 342 G8-related arrests have been made across Scotland since Saturday, police revealed.

Tayside Police said 165 of those were made in the 24-hour period since Wednesday’s outbreak of violence in Stirling involving anarchist protesters. Seventy of those appeared before Perth Sheriff Court yesterday. Another 40 people appeared at Stirling Sheriff Court in connection with incidents around the city.

Hundreds of London police officers involved in the security operation around the G8 in Scotland returned to the capital following the terror attacks.

A total of 252 specialist officers from the Metropolitan Police and the City of London Police were flown home during the morning and afternoon.