M A I N   N E W S

Activists storm venue as WTO conference opens
Jaitley spearheads alliance against EU, US

Cancun, September 10
A conference of WTO Ministers opened here today amidst protests from hundreds of slogan-shouting anti-globalisation activists storming into the venue and a strong plea for evolving a trade policy that does not aggravate poverty.

Seen as a slap on the face of the European Union and United States which are pushing an agenda of protecting their farm and investment interests, UNCTAD Secretary General Rubens Ricupero told ministers from 146 countries: “Here in Cancun, I implore you to say no to trade policies that aggravate poverty, and no to trade practices that undermine aid.”

“I urge you to say yes to bold but sensible steps that will revive the global economy and set a new course for development,” he said at the ministerial meeting opened by Mexican President Vicente Fox amidst slogan shouting by activists inside the conference hall.

“You must, at long last, match deeds to the fine words that are in danger of losing their meaning. Let Cancun send the world a message of hope — hope that trade will make good on its promise for all,” he said giving a piece of advice to the United States and the European Union.

The two have been pursuing an agenda on agriculture and investment rules that could be detrerimental to the billions of farmers in developing countries.

The Commerce Minister, Mr Arun Jaitley, who is heading a 70-member Indian delegation, has spearheaded developing countries’ concerns by successfully forging a formidable alliance of G-21 on agriculture forcing the European Union and the United States to go on the backfoot. — PTI