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CNN Live Saturday

Demonstrations Continue in Italy

Aired July 21, 2001 - 17:01   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
STEPHEN FRAZIER, CNN ANCHOR: In Genoa, Italy, at the Group of Eight, or G-8 summit, the conference among world leaders, including President Bush, has been marked again by violence and this time by death.

Today's demonstrations started peacefully when tens of thousands of protesters, police say 100.000, demonstrators say 150,000, marched against world trade. Later, however, police say extremists broke from the group and some tried to penetrate the "red zone," a barricaded perimeter surrounding the conference. Police used tear gas to try to control them.

Others demonstrators lit bonfires, overturned cars and broke shop windows. More than 90 people were hurt including several officers. Dozens were arrested. Yesterday, a man was shot in the head. Police say they killed him in self defense. Now a homicide investigation is under way.

Some people say the violence outside has overshadowed the work inside the secured walls of the G-8 summit. Leaders of the world's seven wealthiest nations plus Russia are discussing a variety of issues including possible changes for future meetings. CNN White House correspondent Kelly Wallace has details.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): This is not the image the G-8 leaders hoped for -- violent clashes between protesters and police for the second day in a row. Meeting at an elaborate palace well behind the barricades, the leaders couldn't see the violence but couldn't escape it either.

President Bush called Friday's death of a demonstrator tragic, but did not stop there.

GEORGE W. BUSH, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: It's also tragic that many police officers have been hurt, men and women who are trying protect democratically elected leaders and our necessary right to be able to discuss our common problems.

WALLACE: The leaders of the richest nations and Russia joined together to condemn firmly and absolutely the violence overflowing into an anarchy of a small minority.

Still, French President Jacques Chirac said the leaders must listen.

JACQUE CHIRAC, FRENCH PRESIDENT (through translator): The elected leaders of out countries have to consider the problems that have brought tens of thousands of our compatriots mainly from European countries to demonstrate.

WALLACE: Many came to demonstrate, charging trade hurts the poor and benefits the rich. But President Bush once again rejected that argument.

BUSH: Those protesters who try to shut down our talks on trade and aid don't represent the poor, as far as I'm concerned.

WALLACE: Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien worried the violence in Genoa overshadowed the work of the G-8 and hinted changes could be in store for next year's summit in Canada.

JEAN CHRETIEN, CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER: I'm discussing with the leaders to go back to a formula where the concentration will be on the summit and the discussions.

WALLACE: The leaders did discuss Mr. Bush's opposition to the Kyoto global warming treaty, but they seemed to downplay their disagreements.

GERHARD SCHROEDER, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): Both of us are thinking that it is very important that we do substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

WALLACE (on camera): The leaders believe they are making progress on issues important to protesters such as increasing debt relief to poor nations and creating a billion dollar global Aids fund. Still, despite the work inside, this summit, like many recent economic gatherings will mainly be remembered for what happened outside.

Kelly Wallace. CNN Genoa, Italy.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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