Demonstrators look to steal the show at the leading global talking shop, says Guy de Jonquihres Published: January 23 2001 21:23GMT | Last Updated: January 24 2001 07:59GMT The 2,000 members of the international power elite converging on Davos for the start of the World Economic Forum on Thursday may be wondering whether they or rowdy opponents of global capitalism will be the stars of the show. Inside the conference centre political leaders such as presidents Vicente Fox of Mexico, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Vojislav Kostunica of Yugoslavia, are set to share the stage with business moguls including Bill Gates of Microsoft, Steve Case of AOL-Time Warner and Coca-Cola's Douglas Daft. But as they discuss issues as diverse as the digital divide, executive stress and the ethics of science, they may face competition for media attention from protesters outside. Unprecedented security measures are planned to repel threats by dissident groups, branded "hooligans" by the forum organisers, to infiltrate the Swiss Alpine village and disrupt proceedings. Several hundred protesters slipped into Davos last year and held a brief demonstration, trashing the local McDonald's restaurant. This time, they are making more elaborate plans. A Swiss group called Anti-WTO Coordination has been rallying dissident groups on the internet for months in support of a "total blockade" of Davos in protest against "capitalism, racism, patriarchy, authoritarianism, nationalism, homophobia and anti-semitism". Swiss authorities have responded by banning all demonstrations, barring about 300 known troublemakers from entering the country and beefing up the police presence. Meanwhile, up tp 10,000 activists are expected to attend an "Anti-Davos" meeting starting on Thursday in Porto Alegre, Brazil. They aim to counter the forum's agenda. For the forum organisers, the prospect of trouble poses a delicate public relations dilemma. It would hardly do if Davos, with its carefully-cultivated image as the pre-eminent global talking shop, escaped attention. On the other hand, there is a risk that too much of the wrong sort of publicity could frighten away the right kind of people, and violent protests have been a hallmark of high-level international economic conferences since Seattle. The US State Department has advised American citizens to defer plans to visit Davos until after the six-day meeting. So far, the most conspicuous no-shows are representatives of US President George W. Bush's administration. Several cabinet nominees were invited, but declined, saying Senate confirmation hearings prevented them attending. The organisers are relieved that most other invitees still plan to come. "Considering the media coverage given to dissidents, we are pleased that we have had fewer cancellations than last year," said Charles McLean, the forum's director of communications. However the assembled masters of the universe may be in a disconcertingly hesitant mood. Many regulars from government and business are likely to have more questions than answers, particularly about prospects for the world economy, financial markets and Mr Bush's policies. In only a year, the confidently upbeat atmosphere evident at the last Davos meeting has given way to doubts, as US growth has slowed, equity prices have tumbled and dotcoms have imploded. These trends may well mute the US triumphalism about its "new" economy miracle and high-tech prowess that has dominated recent Davos meetings and caused some participants to complain that they risked becoming a paean to American hegemony. This year, European speakers seem more likely to set the tone of economic discussions. They are expected to include Hans Eichel and Laurent Fabius, the finance ministers of Germany and France. Meanwhile, a glance at the guest list suggests executives from old economy businesses will heavily outnumber high-tech whiz-kids. For the first time, Saudi Arabia and several other Gulf states are sending delegations. However, east Asia's presence will be restricted by Chinese New Year, while president Vladimir Putin of Russia has said nyet. Restoring world growth is among the headline discussion themes, along with bridging the rich-poor divide, the future of IT and biotechnology and the 21st century corporation. The organisers hope for "action-oriented" outcomes to some sessions. However, as in previous years, the really big decisions are likely to be taken in private in hotel rooms, well away from the gaze of protesters and the media. _______________________________________________ Leninist-International mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] To change your options or unsubscribe go to: http://lists.wwpublish.com/mailman/listinfo/leninist-international
