Mexico braced for week of WTO protests

Police set up chain-link barricades and warships patrolled off Cancun’s famed white-sand beaches as the Mexican resort braced for massive protests at a week long meeting of the World Trade Organisation.

Some 4,700 delegates from the WTO’s 146 member nations were meeting for five days starting today to try to break the deadlock in the current round of trade liberalisation negotiations as rich and poor nations face off over agricultural subsidies.

Thousands of protesters were camped out, preparing to march down the narrow, hotel-lined peninsula today. Led by farmers from around the world, they planned to urge WTO members to ensure that any agreement protect their livelihood.

Mexican President Vicente Fox, who has urged rich countries like the United States and Europe to reduce aid to farmers, was scheduled to inaugurate the meeting of trade ministers today.

A group of 21 developing nations banded together yesterday to pressure their wealthy counterparts to make deeper agricultural reforms. The United States and the European Union have put forth a more moderate proposal.

Police have steadily increased security throughout Cancun and two naval ships were stationed offshore.

Protesters have been a force at every major WTO meeting since 1999, when street riots disrupted delegates in Seattle. Activists, who include farmers, union leaders and students, argue that current free trade rules benefit big business at the expense of poor nations and the environment.

In a taste of what was expected, 1,000 anarchists and left wingers marched through Cancun yesterday, banging drums and chanting anti-WTO slogans. They were forced back before reaching the meeting site.

Activists say free trade has hurt small farmers and other workers around the world. They want limits on the exchange of agricultural products and preferential treatment for small farmers in the developing world.

Trade ministers from the WTO are largely deadlocked over the thorny issues of agricultural trade and investment and most have said the best they can hope for from the Cancun meeting is a loose framework.