The police said the security was necessary to handle potential protests by antiglobalization activists, though these groups said they do not plan to gather in Hong Kong.

The networks have generally handled such protests through a process of accommodation - constraining for the writer but consoling to the businessman.

The confrontation was unusual for city police, who are accustomed to handling massive parades and protests.

Newspapers say there is division in the Cabinet over how to handle peaceful protests.

But privately, officials said they were angry that assurances from Seattle that the city could handle protests proved futile.

Although the authorities doubtless want to avoid confrontation, it is unclear how they will handle protests on such a sensitive date.

Asked how he planned to handle protests in cities he is to visit, Mr. Jiang said he expected his American hosts to keep them under control.

Wil Shriner, the show's keeper, applies the showbiz whip with a light hand and should be able to handle protests from ant activists.

The criticism was leveled against a police force that has won national praise since the 1960's for its skill in handling protests.

If Turkey wants to be a modern democracy and to join the EU, it should prove that it can handle protests as an adult democracy.