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G-20 Meeting Opens in Montreal
The Group of 20 countries opened their two-day meeting in Montreal Tuesday to discuss ways to promote global trade, and prevent and resolve financial problems.
At the opening ceremony, Canadian Finance Minister Paul Martin, also the chairman of the meeting, said globalization is the "most important discussion of our lifetime."
He said the G-20 meeting will focus on the structure of the international financial system and how to prevent or mitigate the impacts of a financial crisis.
Martin also attacked Monday night's violence, which he said "should not be tolerated."
"But protesting, making one's view felt is one thing; violence is another. And violence, the kind of activities we saw last night should not be tolerated," he said.
Montreal police arrested 39 protesters Monday night after the clash between the police riot squad and protesters, who hurled rocks, pylons and other debris at riot police officers. On Tuesday another four were arrested around the downtown Sheraton Hotel, where the G-20's second annual meeting is being held.
The protesters against the G-20's closed-door meeting said that globalization is widening the gap between the rich and poor.
Delegates of the finance ministers from 19 countries, bank governors as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank attended the meeting.
Initiated in September 1999, the G-20 is composed of the Group of Seven and countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Australia, China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa and Turkey. Membership also includes IMF, the World Bank, the European Union and the European Central Bank.
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