Situation at the German-Belgian border near Aachen

Situation at the German-Belgian border near Aachen
by andi 6:07pm Thu Dec 13 '01

[translated text from http://de.indymedia.org/2001/12/12237.html]
This morning at 9.30 a convoi of buses organised by the DGB (the german federal unions) was stopped near Aachen; it was on its way to Brussels. Find below further info about this incident and a description of the situation at the German-Belgian border near Aachen.

At the highway service station "Königsberg" near Aachen and the Belgian border, the Bundesgrenzschutz (the federal police brigade for border protection) has set up a control point. At the moment there are at least 5-6 armoured police transporters and several police tents.

This morning around 9:30 a convoi of of buses organised by the DGB (the german federal unions) attempted to cross the border. The convoi was stopped and EVERY person was controlled. At least 5 persons were served with an order prohibiting them to leave Germany. The reason for this order was a bread knive found in their luggage. In the local radio news there were reports of a person who carried "several knives". Avoid this highway service station.

Generally there are 3000 cops mobilised to 'secure the border'.

It is as well advisable to avoid leaving the highway at "Aachen-Brand" and "Aachen-Lichtenbusch": Police have prepared blocking rails there. At all border crossings there are control points set up.

This list is not meant to scare people from going to Brussels but to provide information to enable people to cross the border more easily. At lot of people have managed to cross already, even a few buses have managed to pass without being controlled.

The best thing is to inform yourself in time about the latest situation by calling the border-phone on 0241/5152476.

If you are considering to take part at the collective border crossing (there are promising ideas around) then call 0173/14211611 or 0160/92010646 on Friday morning from 6:30, the meeting point will be announced this way. The best thing is to come to Aachen during the day, there are still plenty of free places for transport.

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