Internet Diary .. Background Report 1

The Police

The special forces that are crowding into Wendland aren´t your average run-of-the-mill

cops, but a more sinister breed. Each locality in Germany has set up its own "special unit°-- paramilitaristic fighting forces used for crowd control, fighting terrorists, freeing hostages, etc. To be accepted in a special unit, you have to be in top physical condition, tough, and mean. Recruits seem to come from the most disaffected anti-social elements in the society -- former "Volkspolizei" (People´s Police) from East Germany, street toughs, neo-Nazis. Also, there are national special units called "Grenzschutz" (BGS) or Border Protection Forces. In addition to catching refugees, the BGS has been assigned the task of guarding the nation´s railroads and train stations.

What we´re experiencing now in Wendland is an assemblage of these groups from all over Germany, competing with each other to see which can be the meanest and toughest. The slang word for them is "bulls" (a misnomer -- the average farmyard bull is normally peaceful, and while it can become enraged when provoked, it´s not mean ALL the time!)

None of these forces are equipped with name plates or badges -- they operate in complete anonymity. They refuse to show identification. This means that it´s practically impossible to take an offender to court.

Another Good Source of Information

The Gorleben International Peace Team, composed of volunteers from many countries, is dedicated to observing and reporting violations of human rights. They´re on the internet in English at www.gipt.de and their reports provide a lot of additional background info on conditions here. Highly recommended reading!