WTO meet opens in Cancun, anti-globalisation activists clash with cops

Hundreds of activists stormed the venue of the World Trade Organisation ministerial meet  in Cancun on Wednesday shouting slogans against globalisation leading to clashes with the police.

Police used tear gas and batons to disperse demonstrators, who hurled rocks and bottles in a bid to lodge their protest.

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

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"And 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 told the meeting inaugurated 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 in a message directed at the US and EU.

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

Commerce Minister Arun Jaitley, who is heading a 70-member Indian delegation, has spearheaded developing countries' concerns by successfully forging a formidable alliance of G-21 nations on agriculture forcing the EU and the US on the back foot.

Korean protestor dies

Even as activists carried out demonstrations in the picturesque beaches, a South Korean protestor Lee Kyang Hae stabbed himself during clashes between the police and demonstrators outside the WTO meeting venue. Other activists described the action as a "ceremonial act"

WTO officials said Lee recently spent two months camping in Geneva, WTO headquarters, holding up signs that accused the trade organisation of killing people. He is reported to have attempted suicide once earlier in 1990.

Lee was president of the Korean National Future Farmer's and Fisherman's association and after his death protesters gathered outside the hospital chanting "we are all for Lee." Supachai condoled Lee's death at a customary press conference in Cancun and described the incident as "most unfortunate".