Berlin Bush Fires

But the reception to be given George W. Bush by protesters during his first-ever trip to Germany is expected to be less than polite. Thousands are due to take to Berlin’s streets. Among them will be 2,000 left-wing radicals who, it is feared, may hijack peaceful protests and turn them into violent riots.

Some 10,000 police officers - a post-war record for a state guest – are on duty in Berlin this week. "The police are ready", police spokesman Carsten Graefe said. "We will be on red alert."

The government district and much of the city centre have been closed off.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder's announcement last week that rioters would be met with hard resistance was realised when policemen were quick to clamp down on scuffles during otherwise peaceful protests.

Some 240 separate groups took to the street on Tuesday, mostly to protest against American foreign policy. The 10,000 protesters marched peacefully through Berlin’s city centre chanting "Yankee go home" and waving banners reading "God Less America" and "Axis of Evil runs through the Pentagon".

First visit to Germany

In an interview with Germany’s state television, Bush said he was not worried about demonstrations against his visit. "That’s good", he said. "That’s democracy. I love to visit countries where people can freely express themselves".

In a show of confidence, Bush said he was looking forward to his trip. "I’ve never been to Germany and I’m anxious to go".

His visit will include a dinner with the German chancellor.

Bush will also deliver what is seen as a historical speech to the German parliament, focusing on the war against terror.

Seeking support

The US president is thought to be using his tour of Europe to seek support for possible US action against Iraq.

But Bush is due to face criticism from the German centre-left government. "As long as it is not certain that Saddam does not belong to the group that provides quarters or support for terrorists such as Al Qaeda, there is no reason to take action against Iraq", Peter Struck, Social Democrat parliamentary floor leader, told German television.

Struck said both he and the chancellor would bring up the subject. "The American government deserves to be criticised where it deserves it", he said.

Further criticism came from the Greens. Parliamentary leader Antje Vollmer said Bush was using "an almost missionary approach against evil", an approach which was causing tension and instability worldwide.