WA: Serbian protesters locked out of wharf

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-1999
WA: Serbian protesters locked out of wharf

In Perth, a protest aimed against the US military has resulted a strange incident with
Serbian protesters confronting a lone Australian Vietnam veteran.

More than 5,000 US navy personnel are on five days rest and recreation in the West
Australian capital with the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson docked off Fremantle.

About 100 protesters with Serbian flags arrived at Fremantle Dock's Victoria Quay near the
US warship USS Princeton and found a lone Australian, holding a tattered Australian flag.

They chanted anti-American slogans and abused the man.

However, the man, who has identified himself as George, says he is only making a stand for
Australians against the protesters and sympathises with the American service men and women on
leave.





Meanwhile, Commander BRUCE VANDENBOSS, from the US seventh fleet, says US navy personal
have been told not to wear their uniforms in Perth to avoid inflaming the situation.

AAP RTV pr/wz/jn

KEYWORD: KOSOVO WA (FREMANTLE)

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