Southern Alberta becomes the political centre of the universe today as the world's leading political figures arrive in Calgary for the G-8 summit amid unprecedented security.
A 150-km no-fly zone goes into effect around Kananaskis Village, where the leaders, including Prime Minister Jean Chretien and U.S. President George W. Bush, will be whisked by helicopter after landing at Calgary International Airport -- heralding the biggest international event to touch the Calgary area since the 1988 Winter Olympics.
Chretien is scheduled to touch down at 10:15 a.m., Bush at 3:30 p.m.
Both downtown Calgary and Kananaskis Country are crawling with troops and police as a security contingent unofficially estimated at up to 7,000 becomes fully mobilized.
"We have prepared and trained, but this is the real thing," Maj. Luc Gaudet of the Canadian Armed Forces said.
Despite a peaceful kickoff to anti-G-8 protests on the weekend, highlighted by Sunday's festive protest march, local G-8 organizers still expect to encounter some civil disobedience and mayhem.
"We think there's a possibility there'll be activists who feel they can't make their point without fighting," said John Chaput, the City of Calgary's G-8 manager.
The greatest fear centres around possible traffic blockages downtown staged by militants, which could degenerate into violent confrontation, Chaput said.
"The threats to disrupt traffic and generally be disorderly on Wednesday and Thursday will be the more substantial concern," he said. "Hopefully, our (security preparations) won't be put to the test, but we'll find out."
A group of protesters gathered at the Calgary Multicultural Centre, 712 5 St. S.E., said that police, not activists, would initiate violence.
"Our goal is education, and you can't do that through broken windows," said Patrick McCurdy, 26.
But, McCurdy's colleagues said men clad in black clothing and balaclavas whom they described as possibly militant anarchists yesterday afternoon dropped off five boxes of produce for them, chanting "food and bombs."
Another activist said he didn't consider damaging property an act of violence.
Tonight, Chretien will host a dinner for his political guests at the Kananaskis Delta Lodge.
He will also engage in meetings with the other heads of state in preparation for the official commencement of the summit tomorrow.
WHEN DO THEY GET HERE?
CANADA
Jean Chretien
10:15 a.m.
GERMANY
Gerhard Schroeder
6 p.m.
JAPAN
Junichiro Koizumi
12 p.m.
ITALY
Silvio Berlusconi
10:30 p.m.
RUSSIA
Vladimir Putin
8:10 a.m tomorrow
UNITED STATES
George W. Bush
3:30 p.m.
UNITED KINGDOM
Tony Blair
7 p.m.
FRANCE
Jacques Chirac
4:30 p.m.
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