Greenpeace protest foiled

The Arctic Sunrise sails past Nusa Dua beach as a fisherman casts out his line. However, the boat's crew of Greenpeace activists was barred on Thursday by locals from making a protest statement by tossing a three-headed ogoh-ogoh monster effigy into the sea.

The local Pecalang, or village security men, contended that the ogoh-ogoh could only be thrown into the sea once a year -- before the day of silence or nyepi celebration.

Greenpeace had planned the oddly intriguing protest as part of its campaign against the United States, Australia and Canada, who they dubbed the "filthy three". They alleged that those countries were blocking sustainable development efforts.

Greenpeace actually had clearance from the Bali police, but due to the Pecalang objection, which apparently overruled the police, they turned their ship back to Benoa harbor. -- JP