[g8-sheffield] Read this

[Dan]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/weekend/story/0,,1439904,00.html

... and then remember this is what the Justice (ha ha!) and Home Affairs 
ministers are going to be discussing when they come to Sheffield. 
(Including Tom Ridge, now Secretary of Homeland Security in the US.)

Some background from the Star earlier in the year, for anyone as hasn't 
read it:

*Huge police operation for ministers' meeting*

AN international anti-terrorism conference will go ahead in Sheffield, 
despite fears of violent protests.

Council leaders in Sheffield confirmed representatives from the world's 
'big eight' industrial nations will converge on South Yorkshire between 
June 15-17.
A huge armed police operation is expected to seal Sheffield city centre 
for the meeting to prevent a terror attack against representatives from 
the USA, UK, Japan, Canada, France, Germany, Italy and Russia.

The meeting had been arranged by former Home Secretary David Blunkett 
but was thrown in doubt by his resignation before Christmas.
Among delegates will be the man in charge of protecting the US from a 
repeat of the 9/11 atrocity - Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.

Mr Blunkett chose Sheffield, where he grew up and made a name for 
himself in politics, in an attempt to showcase the city's progress.

Similar meetings elsewhere in the world have attracted violent 
disruptions from protesters. Some websites have featured postings from 
groups who claim to be mobilising protest for the summit.

The meeting will be the forerunner of the G8 heads of state summit being 
held in Gleneagles, Penrithshire, Scotland the following month.

It is Britain's turn for the presidency of the G8, which is the group of 
the eight most powerful nations who get together every year to set out 
ways of tackling the biggest problems facing the world such as 
terrorism, famine and climate change.

The meeting will look at international issues including 
counter-terrorism, migration, law enforcement, legal affairs and hi-tech 
crime.

The Home Office has been in negotiations with the council and other 
agencies for a number of months on arrangements for the meeting.

Workers at Home Office immigration offices in Pond Street have been 
asked if they would like to be a guide to foreign ministers during the 
conference. Volunteers would show delegates round the city.

24 January 2005