The Hindu : National : G8 summit: roads under siege

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Sunday, Jun 10, 2007
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G8 summit: roads under siege

Priscilla Jebaraj

KUHLUNGSBORN: Thanks to the widespread protests against the ongoing G8 summit, the authorities have been forced to think up creative forms of transport. The G8 leaders themselves have been flown into the resort by helicopter.

Journalists in the area have had an interesting experience. With all access roads under siege by protesters, media personnel have been travelling to Heiligendamm on a historic steam train called "Molli."

The oldest narrow gauge steam railway on the Baltic Coast runs daily between the town of Bad Doberan and the seaside resorts of Heiligendamm, where the G8 summit is being held, and Kuhlungsborn, where the media centre is located.

A conductor on the train, Marikke Behrens, says that while there are a number of other steam trains in Germany, what makes the Molli unique is the fact that it is regular public transport, not just a tourist showpiece. "It's exciting to have journalists here from all over the world, places I've never been to," says Ms. Behrens, as she poses for photos dressed in a vintage red and black conductor's costume.

Her job gets an added edge during the summit. "I saw protesters in the woods along the rail line as I came to work," she said. Sure enough, protesters managed to blockade the rail lines a few hours later, and "Molli" was stuck in Kuhlungsborn. The media posse was forced to take to the Baltic Sea to make the trip between Heiligendamm and Kuhlungsborn.

Excitement warred with seasickness as the ferryboats crested the waves. The sea was not free of protesters either. Several Greenpeace boats managed to enter the security zone outside Heiligendamm and led the police vessels on a merry chase in full view of the world's media before they were finally caught.

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