WA: 100 Serbs in rowdy Perth protest

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-1999
WA: 100 Serbs in rowdy Perth protest

More than 100 protesters from Perth's Serbian community staged a rowdy protest at
Fremantle's Victoria Quay today as two American navy vessels were docked.

A strong police presence of 120 was on guard at the locked off area with the protesters
kept away from guided missile carrier USS Princeton.

Protesters have complained the police presence was over the top and they say they were
denied their democratic right to protest.

Commander BRUCE VANDENBOSS from the US seventh fleet says he has taken measures to calm the
situation, with more than 5,000 personnel in Perth for rest and recreation.

He says the ships are also closed to the public today and officers have been told not to
wear their uniforms while on shore leave.

RTV AAP/jaw/jn

KEYWORD: KOSOVO RALLY (FREMANTLE)

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