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CNN Live Saturday
NYC Police Prepare for Largest Anti-Globalization Demonstration Yet
Aired February 02, 2002 - 13:01 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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Thousands of police in New York are bracing for what could be a contentious day at the World Economic Forum. Anti-globalization protesters are expected to hold their largest demonstration today. Things have been relatively quiet so far.
Inside the conference hall, nearly 3,000 political and business leaders are meeting to discuss economic issues in this age of terrorism. As CNN's Garrick Utley found out, they speak in a very different voice from the people outside.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GARRICK UTLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): So there you are, standing across Park Avenue from the Waldorf Astoria, kept back by police and barriers, but voicing your opinion of the World Economic Forum.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: We're here to demonstrate against the effects of globalization and we feel that this forum is just for a bunch of wealthy people that are getting together for a self- congratulatory meeting, to congratulate themselves and pat each other on the back for a job well done.
UTLEY: But if you were inside the Waldorf, what would you find? A President, a Queen, a rock star, and nearly 3,000 other attendees. Many shell out $25,000 to be here. Others are invited to spread their knowledge and wisdom about the state of our world.
CHARLES MACLEAN, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS: The kinds of people who come to a meeting like this are business leaders, government leaders, NGOs, religious leaders, scientists, academics, and media.
UTLEY (on camera): So you put all these people together and what do you get? Well first of all, a self-satisfied feeling that since you're here in this conference, you must be somebody important. That's always good for the ego. Beyond that though, this is also a good place to measure what's really worrying these days the rich and the powerful.
UTLEY (voice over): Of course, the worldwide economic slowdown doesn't help those who want to network and do business deals, and terrorism is on everyone's mind. But there's also something else in the air, global anger, much of it directed at the United States and the very economic power held by those at this conference.
AMRE MOUSSA, ARAB LEAGUE: That is a big difference with the United States policies in so many regions. That creates real anger and frustration and agitation.
ZAKI LAIDI, FRENCH CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL RESEARCH: This imperialist power is regarded as a, I would call it parochial super power, a power who is influencing the world but in which its own population doesn't have a real interest in the world.
UTLEY: If there is anger in the outside world, you also hear a new concern inside the conference, about what the collapse of Enron could lead to.
DOMINIQUE MOISI, FRENCH INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS: In symbolic terms, the Enron scandal is seen by many participants as the economic equivalent of September 11th, a earthquake, an entrance into a new world.
UTLEY: And then there's another way of measuring the mood here and that's with the insider's in joke that goes: Secretary of State Powell was here on Friday. He calls President Bush and says "I have urgent good and bad news from Baghdad. The good news is that Saddam Hussein says that he'll allow weapons inspectors back into Iraq. They can search anywhere they want to." "And what's the bad news" the President asks. "Well, Mr. President, the bad news is that Saddam is insisting that the inspectors are from Arthur Andersen."
UTLEY (voice over): A reflection the theme of this year's World Economic Forum, leadership in fragile times. Fragile times shared by those inside and everyone else. Garrick Utley, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
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