FIFA expects World Cup host Brazil to "deploy police if necessary to contain violent demonstrators and guarantee access to stadiums," as the "specter of street protests disrupting" the event looms, according to Anthony Boadle of REUTERS. FIFA Secretary General Jerome Valcke, who is "touring some World Cup host cities this week, said Brazilians are democratically entitled to stage peaceful protests during the global sporting event." Valcke: "But unpeaceful demonstrations by people who are just trying to create problems and fight against the authorities, there is only way to bring them down, and that is to use the police to make sure these people are under control." The potential for violence marring the World Cup was "highlighted by a member of one of the anarchist groups known as 'Black Blocs' who threatened to attack foreign delegations in an interview published by the Estado de S.Paulo newspaper on Sunday" (REUTERS, 2/17). The AFP reported Santiago Andrade, a Brazilian TV cameraman, died four days after a flare exploded next to his head during clashes between police and protesters on Feb. 6. After "such incidents, the Brazilian government said that it is preparing a law to sanction vandalism that occurs during protests." Brazil's Parliament is "also debating an anti-terrorist law that would increase punishment for acts of vandalism that damage public property" (LA AFICION, 2/17).
