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CNN Live At Daybreak

Thousands of Protesters Expected at G8 Summit

Aired July 20, 2001 - 07:30   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.
COLLEEN MCEDWARDS, CNN ANCHOR: President Bush faces lots of questions at the summit of industrial powerhouses in Russia. That's the G7 plus Russia, making it the G8.

Mr. Bush arrived a little more than an hour ago in Genoa, Italy, where the meeting is to take place. He is at odds with several of the other nation's leaders over global warming issues and his missile defense plan, as well. And there have been lots of protests in Genoa, Italy -- people opposed to globalization, concerned about trade issues and how some of the world's poorer countries will be affected.

CNN's Kelly Wallace is in Genoa, Italy, with more from the site of this meeting.

Kelly, Mr. Bush seemed to be sending a bit of a message in advance to these protesters. What's that about?

KELLY WALLACE, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: Well, the message, Colleen -- you're exactly right -- the message is that the president says people certainly have the right to protest.

But he says those who are protesting free trade, charging that it will come at the expense of the poor are hurting, not helping, impoverished countries -- the president believing that free trade is one of the best ways to lift up the developing world and allow them to experience more prosperity. So the president, I think it has been three different occasions, where he has put that message out.

As for why, well, the White House knows that as many as 100,000 protesters expected to be here -- so it is an issue they could not avoid. They also, though, really were concerned after the U.S./European Union summit in Sweden last month that turned rather violent -- some people actually shot. So they felt the stakes were rather high and wanted to get this message out and get it out clearly -- Colleen.

MCEDWARDS: And given all that, Kelly, what is the police presence like there? How are the Italian police coping with all of this?

WALLACE: Well, security is incredibly tight. And it's evident everywhere.

As many as 20,000 Italian police are expected to be on the streets. Fences are pretty much encircling a so-called red zone, which is where the summit is taking place. There are naval boats, which are basically monitoring this port city. We saw some surface- to-air missiles at the airport and even helicopters hovering overhead.

Also, Colleen, there are some clashes already taking place between demonstrators and police at various sections of this city -- and that the police have been firing tear gas to try to keep these demonstrators from disrupting the meeting -- Colleen.

MCEDWARDS: And, Kelly, in terms of the substance, the content, I mean, are people expecting anything specific to come out of his meeting?

WALLACE: Not exactly expecting any tangible results -- but certainly the leaders here will be pushing for another global round of trade talks -- Mr. Bush certainly pushing that very hard.

They are also expected to renew their pledge to try to provide more debt relief to some of the most impoverished countries, and also unveil -- formally unveil a new global trust fund to combat HIV and AIDS. This is probably where you'll see the most tangible results. The United States has already pledged $200 million to that effort and is calling on other countries to step in and help. And we're expecting other countries to announce their contributions during these meetings -- Colleen.

MCEDWARDS: All right, CNN's Kelly Wallace, thanks very much.

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