Protestors denounce Bush before summit
At least 25,000 protesters opposed to George Bush, the war in Iraq and unfettered capitalism marched through the Chilean capital Santiago just before the American president arrived for a weekend summit of 21 Pacific Rim economies.
Bush and other leaders will discuss trade, security, fighting corruption, stronger economic ties – and network with one another – at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.
Yesterday, thousands of Chileans took to the streets of downtown Santiago for a government-authorised demonstration to express their disgust over the Apec summit, believing it champions a kind of capitalism that widened the gap between rich and poor.
But most of their outrage was aimed at Bush and the US-led war in Iraq.
Marchers held up posters saying “Bush, you stink”, and ”Terrorist Bush”. Some chanted: “Bush, listen: Chile is not for sale!” and “Bush, fascist, thief, murderer!”
Organisers said 40,000 protesters participated in the march, which took place far from the conference centre where the leaders would gather. Police put the number at 25,000.
“We have to do something to humanise this economic model that is now spreading in the world,” said Francisco Araya, an office worker who brought his two children along. “I do not want that for my family.”
The march was peaceful, but riot police earlier used water cannons and tear gas to break up an unauthorised demonstration by hundreds of rock-throwing protesters.
Scattered protests erupted into today in at least four working-class districts around Santiago, leaving at least two people wounded by stray bullets, according to police.
While the Apec summit started out in 1989 as a gathering to focus on boosting trade among Pacific Rim nations, its focus has broadened in recent years to include security matters.
Bush, who arrived in Chile last night, hopes to use to the Apec gathering to map strategy to restart talks early next year with North Korea over its nuclear ambitions, a senior White House official said.
Bush is to hold meetings today with counterparts from China, Japan, South Korea, Russia – all involved in the six-nation talks with North Korea. Three rounds of talks have yielded little progress and Pyongyang refused to attend a fourth session in September.
