1.
GV POLICE HALT CAR NEAR MOUSCRON
0.03

2.
SV POLICE CHECKING CARS (2 SHOTS)
0.14

3.
GV PAN FROM CAR TO ANOTHER
0.20

4.
CU MAYOR AT NOTICE
0.22

5.
MV PAN ALONG STREET
0.28

6.
LV PAN AROUND POLICE VEHICLES IN SQUARE
0.33

7.
MV POLICE STOP CARS (3 SHOTS)
0.47

8.
CU MAN SPEAKS
0.52

9.
CU PAN CROWD
1.00

10.
CU BV MEN WITH MPW SCARVES
1.05



Initials PBS/VS/RM/EEH



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: RIOT POLICE STOOD BY IN THE BELGIAN CITY OF MOUSCRON TODAY (SUNDAY) PREPARED TO DEAL WITH ANY TROUBLE DURING A THREATENED DEMONSTRATION BY FLEMISH NATIONALISTS.

THE FLEMISH-SPEAKING NATIONALISTS HAD PLANNED TO PROTEST AGAINST THE ANNEXATION OF MOUSCRON TO THE FRENCH-SPEAKING PROVINCE OF HAINAUT. MOUSCRON IS IN THE CENTRE OF A FRENCH-SPEAKING ENCLAVE.

THE PLANNED DEMONSTRATION IN MOUSCRON WAS PROHIBITED BY TOWN AUTHORITIES, AND POLICE MOUNTED ROADBLOCKS TO STOP ANY DEMONSTRATORS REACHING THE TOWN.

INSTEAD, THE FLEMISH NATIONALISTS WENT TO GENK, IN LIMBURG PROVINCE, 250 KILOMETRES (ABOUT 160 MILES) FROM LIMBURG. THERE, RIOT POLICE HAD TO USE TEARGAS AND RIFLE BUTTS TO QUELL A NOISY DEMONSTRATION.

AT MOUSCRON, FRENCH-SPEAKING TOWNSPEOPLE HELD THEIR OWN MEETING AFTER BEING ASKED BY CIVIC OFFICIALS, INCLUDING THE MAYOR, TO REMAIN CALM.