Saturday’s approved demonstration by WEF critics in Davos took place
in a
peaceful manner. Some 80 people marched from the town hall in
Davos-Platz along
the agreed route to the train station in Davos-Platz. The peaceful
demonstration
started at 2:15 pm. On the Arkadenplatz, the demonstration made a
previously
approved pause to allow activists to make speeches critical of
globalization. The
demonstration concluded shortly after 4 pm.
On Saturday, persons and baggage were checked on all access routes
to
Davos. At the Landwassertal checkpoint, one foreigner was arrested for
security
reasons, as he was unable to identify himself. At a hotel in Davos, one
Swiss citizen
was stopped and questioned for suspicion of counterfeiting
identification. Both
persons were released subsequently.
No problems were reported at the Fideris checkpoint, where all
trains from
Landquart to Davos were stopped until 2 pm. Only one golf club was
confiscated; all
train passengers could proceed to Davos after security checks.
Activists critical of globalization presented a street performance
shortly after 11
am. in Fideris on Saturday: Dressed as business people or politicians,
they
performed satire of events surrounding the WEF conventions. Police did
not interfere.
There were no activities critical of the WEF in Chur or Landquart on
Saturday,
January 29, 2005.
Security forces deployment
As in previous years, the police of the Canton Grisons were able to
count on the
support of all cantonal police corps as well as the larger cities as
part of an
intercantonal police deployment. In addition, German border troops
provided six
water cannons and heavy equipment as well as the necessary staff, and
the
Principality of Liechtenstein deployed police forces.
This allowed for implementation of a security plan throughout
Switzerland.
Forecasts and developments of the situation in Basle resulted in a quick
redeployment of support forces, water cannons and air surveillance in
various phases
to Basle, representing a serious challenge with regard to flexibility
and logistics.
The WEF 2005 from a police standpoint
Markus Reinhardt, Police Commander for the Canton Grisons and head
of all
security forces, deemed the security deployment a success despite
difficult
conditions – long hours and very low temperatures. “From a police
standpoint, the
WEF 2005 was a new and thoroughly positive experience. I was impressed
by the
psychological and physical performance of all security forces in
chilling weather.
Every man and woman fulfilled their mission and can look back with
pride.”
The Police Commander was particularly satisfied with the fact that
the
demonstrations in Chur (January 15, 2005: 300 participants) and in Davos
(January
22, 2005: 40 participants, and January 29, 2005: 80 participants) as
well as
numerous activities were conducted in a peaceful manner. The low-key
police
presence allowed for implementing reasonable measures through dialog and
de-
escalation tactics.
In contrast to previous years, there were no serious incidents or
property
damage prior to and during the WEF 2005 in the Canton Grisons.
Nevertheless, the
WEF represented a considerable amount of work for the police: 161
foreign
delegations required protection under international law, including 34
persons
requiring permanent bodyguards. 43,710 entry checks were conducted at
the
entrances to the convention center.
“After considering the various levels of training, cooperation with
the army and
other partners worked well based on years of experience”, Commander
Reinhardt
declared. This included efforts by the Land Task Force (LTF), in
particular
surveillance and monitoring sensitive objects; by the Air Task Force
(ATF) for air
space security and transport; and by Logistics conducted in the
background (setup,
dismantling, connections, etc.).
Quelle: Cantonal police for the Canton Grisons