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CNN Sunday Morning

Summit of the Americas Drafts Historic Trade Agreement

Aired April 22, 2001 - 09:28   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.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: We begin this half-hour, though, in Quebec City where 34 hemisphere leaders are winding up the Summit of Americas. While the political leaders were drafting a historic trade agreement, thousands of protesters filled the streets and sometimes the protest got a little ugly.

CNN's John Vause has the latest from the security perimeter in Quebec City. Hi, John.

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Kyra.

Well, there's been another night of violence here in Quebec City, but this time away from the summit area and in the center of town.

Now, the 34 regional leaders who are staying here, they could watch from their hotel rooms, the same hotel where President Bush is staying. They looked on as thousands of protesters set bonfires in the streets and smashed shop windows. They tore down the temporary boarding, which had been put up just a few days ago to try and protect these storefronts. That boarding was ripped down and then used to fuel the bonfires.

Buses were stopped as they tried to make their way through the center of the city. The crowd was reportedly looking for summit delegates. At one stage, there was a call to try and burst the tires of the buses.

Now, the streets were controlled by the mob until the early hours of this morning. Up until midnight, there was no sign of any uniformed police officers. However, a few hours ago riot police did move in. They did clear these streets and, so far, a total of 250 people have been arrested for the entire three days of the summit, and there has been another 80 injuries, including 34 police officers.

Right now, it's fairly calm here on the streets. Police are moving out to the summit area, ready for another day of violence, another day of violent clashes with protesters. But, it's a miserable day here in Quebec. It's rainy. It's cold and authorities here are hoping that that will actually calm things down and we may avoid a repeat of those violent clashes which we've seen over the last few days -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Well, John, that's the outside. Let's go inside for a minute and talk about the summit and what could possibly be accomplished here. There's been talk of this democracy clause coming out of it. Cuba, as you know, the only country not invited to this summit. Could Cuba be paying attention?

VAUSE: Well, Fidel Castro is paying attention. He is the only world leader who has actually come out in support of the protesters. He says that their action is heroic. No doubt, he will be paying attention. But, Cuba's part in this conference, obviously they've been excluded, even though the Canadian prime minister at one stage did go to Cuba and did try to get Castro involved. Castro refused to live up to some of the conditions laid down by the Canadian prime minister.

But, as for Cuba's involvement and Castro's reaction to that, I guess we're waiting and seeing.

PHILLIPS: And for the developments also going on inside, do you think any of those leaders are paying attention to the protesters on the outside?

VAUSE: Well, today we're expecting a declaration from the summit. It'll be a 250-page declaration. We heard from President Bush, saying that he's hear to listen, he wants to find out what these people have to say. He wants to be engaged in constructive dialogue. And, in fact, that statement, which will come out later today, will have clauses in there about improving education, about improving environmental standards and trying to improve the conditions for many of the poorer countries who will be part of this free trade zone.

PHILLIPS: John Vause from the security perimeter right there in Quebec City. Thank you so much.

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