Environmental activists scored a significant moral victory here at the weekend when their huge demonstration calling for ratification of the Kyoto Protocol on Climate Change passed off without incident.
By contrast with the pitched battles fought on the streets of Genoa, there was no violence in Bonn as 2,500 supporters of Friends of the Earth hauled a symbolic lifeboat to the climate summit.
German police were clearly prepared for trouble. The march from Muensterplatz in the centre of Bonn to the Hotel Maritim conference centre was preceded by six police vans, with a further 16 following behind.
A police helicopter hovered overhead throughout the three-hour demonstration and key buildings along the route were defended by police in paramilitary uniform armed with truncheons and carrying riot helmets.
There was, if anything, a carnival atmosphere more reminiscent of the Love Parade in Berlin - also held on Saturday - than any of the recent confrontations involving the shock troops opposing globalisation. Led by a lively samba band and protesters waving cut-out sharks with Eat Bush slogans, the FoE march weaved its way out of Bonn, escorting a 30 m "lifeboat" to symbolise rescue for the climate talks.
Many of those taking part were wearing "Don't sink the world - stop climate change" Tshirts. There were unicyclists and stilt-walkers, young people, children and parents with babies in buggies or halters.
"Think of our children: Don't put our climate in the sink," said one of the numerous colourful banners. Several women walked the route with domestic pot plants on their heads with tags saying "This is not a sink".
"God Save the USA - and the Rest of the World!", said one of the largest banners on the demonstration. "Don't let Kyoto melt away," said another. Individual placards were more specific: "Boycott Esso" one of them said. The Noah's Ark-style lifeboat, clad in 3,000 plywood slats carrying messages from FoE members and supporters in 25 countries, was mounted on trolley wheels and pushed along its two-mile journey by a team of volunteers.
Immediately behind it was a huge painted banner depicting a giant tidal wave, as a metaphor for what could happen if the Kyoto process failed. At several points, when the march took a break, some demonstrators danced in the street.
As they passed the Hotel Maritim, whistles were blown to attract the attention of delegates inside, then embroiled in negotiations to find an acceptable compromise. Some of them appeared on balconies to see what the fuss was about.
The lifeboat, which had already had one of its wheels replaced, was cut at mid-section to negotiate a sharp turn into the compound where the talks were taking place; it was then reassembled in Robert Schumann Platz.
There, within sight of the conference hotel and still under the watchful eyes of hundreds of police, including some with fearsome-looking Alsatians, the lifeboat was "moored", speeches delivered and then the demonstrators dispersed.
