-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- home search messages help assistant log out Will a week of the high life help the poor? BY AUTHOR NAME It is one of the world's most illustrious gatherings, set in one of the world's most exclusive ski resorts. But as 14,500 delegates descend on the Swiss town of Davos for today's opening of the World Economic Forum, some might question whether this is simply the world's most expensive talking shop. US President Bill Clinton will attend for just half a day, yet with him goes a delegation of 300 aides, politicians, businessmen, secret servicemen and general hangers-on. The trip in Air Force One, with a Boeing 747 bringing up the rear, will cost the US taxpayer at least £5million. Then there are the US delegation's 80 limousines and 200 hotel rooms to pay for. The summit guest list features leaders from the worlds of politics, finance, business, medicine and the arts. It includes the richest man on the planet, Microsoft's Bill Gates, and the international financial speculator George Soros. Tony Blair, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will also be there. Guests will listen to speeches and discuss globalisation, Internet business, trade negotiations and the rich-poor divide. Aid agencies want the summit to produce positive initiatives to reduce the widening gap between the richest and poorest countries. But in private yesterday aid chiefs voiced concern that the annual meeting produces no concrete proposals. In fact, the agenda is little different from last year, they point out. "Davos is long on talk and, at the moment, short on practical solutions," said one aid worker. Figures published yesterday - 30 years on from the first meeting - highlight the growing gulf between rich and poor countries. In 1950 the gap was 35-1, by 1997 it had grown to 727-1. The forum's multi-million pound funding comes from private, unnamed partners and big companies such as Andersen Consulting, as well as multi-national giants such as Coca-Cola, Audi and IBM. Cynics might suggest the choice of venue for the annual jamboree - a hub of non-stop dining and skiing - indicates that some delegates might have a little more than just talks on their mind. This would seem to be confirmed by the fact that high-class escort agencies have put hundreds of girls on standby. Davos residents know that the six-day summit can earn the town more than £5million - a fifth of its annual income - and some shops will open round the clock. Ten of the 40 heads of state attending will be staying at the Seehof Hotel, where manager Christoph Schlosser has flown in acclaimed chef Anton Mosimann from London. "I'm thrilled to be here," said Mosimann. "I know the kind of food these people like. I am keeping it simple and light." Fearing violent protests like those that disrupted last year's World Trade Organisation summit in Seattle, the Swiss are taking no chances with security. Hundreds of soldiers will patrol the surrounding dense forest and snow-covered mountains."With so many heads of state and some of the richest and most powerful men in the world, the chances of protests and attacks, kidnappings and assassination attempts, are high," said an official. © Express Newspapers, 2000 back to news previous article next article top of page status | feedback | copyright | help | contact | privacy | clock <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
