Leaders of Americas Review Pact at Quebec Summit Amid Violence ClearupThirty-four leaders from across the Americas met here Sunday again to finalize a blueprint to link their economies in the world's largest open market, which is expected to be announced at the end of the Summit of the Americas, marred by violence on the streets in Quecec City, the French- speaking city.The leaders began their meeting to reveal the comprehensive draft plan as cleanup from three days of protests started in the city. However, sources close to the summit told Xinhua that several Latin American countries have disagreements with others on the contents of the plan, such as the conditions on free trade and the specific wording on democracy. The plan, which would include efforts to carve a free trade zone that spans from North America to Argentina, is set to be unveiled at the Quebec summit where protesters have waned. The demonstrators oppose the free trade pact which, they say, will widen the gap between the rich and the poor. Early morning protests in Quebec erupted in drizzles in this picturesque city. A focal point of the protesters rage has been the fence encircling the summit venues. The sound of generators outweighed the sounds of the protests by early afternoon. Power screws and generators were buzzing around the city, replacing plywood and cleaning streets torn apart by protesters. "It's going to be a hard day because they (leaders at the summit) have to get back to the airport and a lot of people are going to try and obstruct their way back," said Marc Ipperseil of the Quebec Provincial Police. "But we have a team working on that right now." Security along the route to the airport is heightened, according to local radio reports. Thousands of protesters broke windows and lit bonfires on Saturday night near the Quebec Convention Center where the talks are being held. Police fired tear gas to disperse the roving crowds. At one point, a local hotel was locked down, and guests were not allowed in or out as protesters gathered in front. More than 200 protesters were arrested by Saturday night for rioting at the fringe of the summit. Security forces continued using tear gas to ward off demonstrators. |
| People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/ |