AMSTERDAM, 07/12/00 - Although Queen's Day (30 April) is still a long way ahead, the Amsterdam police say this should in any case be "less convivial" than in previous years. The police came out with this remarkable statement yesterday in order to give Amsterdam city council time to adapt regulations for the occasion.

According to the water police, some Amsterdam canals were so full of boats this year that emergency services were unable to get through. A houseboat sunk, people were run over and fights broke out, according to an evaluation. To prevent this from happening next Queen's Day, police want to introduce one-way traffic on the canals.

Police also want the council to refuse a Queen's Day license for the discotheque Mazzo and the Roothaanhuis opposite it, as it was impossible to maintain security there. The public was already drunk at four in the afternoon, and under the influence of pills and other noxious items. Drugs were being used openly and an ambulance was showered with bottles and stones, the evaluation reported.