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Summit under siege
The Summit of the Americas, called to discuss the creation
of the world's largest trading bloc, has begun in the Canadian city of Quebec
after violent clashes between police and anti-globalisation protesters delayed
the official opening.
Delegates arrived at the summit venue
clutching handkerchiefs to their mouths to avoid the effects of tear gas
canisters fired at demonstrators.
Running battles broke out between police and protesters, who tore down a
perimeter fence that had been erected to keep them away from the summit venue
and hurled Molotov cocktails and stones.
At least one police officer and several demonstrators were injured. There
were dozens of arrests.
The stand-off continued as night fell, and a BBC correspondent in Quebec says the event has become a "summit under siege". The protesters argue that a new free trade area, one of the goals of the three-day summit of leaders of 34 countries in the Americas, will hurt the poor and damage the environment. US President George W Bush disagreed. "Trade not only helps spread prosperity, but trade helps spread freedom," he said after arriving at the summit. 'Extremists' blamed for trouble Opening the summit, Canada's prime minister, Jean Chretien, blamed the violence on what he called a small group of extremists. "I welcome those who have come to Quebec City to make known their views on how best to advance the social and economic interests of our fellow citizens, but violence and provocation is unacceptable in a democracy," he said.
President Bush has launched a charm offensive to try and persuade his fellow heads of government of the advantages of free trade. He told reporters that his goal was to create an "entire hemisphere that is both prosperous and free". Mr Bush faces the most resistance from Brazil, the largest economy in South America, which would like to see US concessions on agricultural subsidies. The role of Mexico is also in doubt. Currently the only Latin American country to enjoy unrestricted access to US markets, it is reluctant to give up that privilege. The FTAA would encompass nearly all the countries of the Americas with a combined population of 800 million who produce goods and services totalling $11.4 trillion - bigger than the European Union. The plan, if approved by 2005, would eliminate - or lower substantially - tariffs on goods moving between countries. It would also streamline customs regulations, eliminate quotas and subsidies, and remove other impediments to trade. Castro backs protesters The major demonstration planned for the summit is a march on Saturday, with organisers expecting thousands from Canada, the Latin America and the United States to take part. Protests are also planned far from Quebec City, with marches or blockades threatened in other Canadian and US cities. Cyberprotests could also occur. The Cuban President, Fidel Castro - the only Latin American leader excluded from the summit in Quebec - has expressed his solidarity with the protesters. The Communist leader, who was not invited to the meeting because the organisers say that Cuba is not a democratic regime, called their actions of the protesters heroic. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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