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CNN Live Sunday
Anti-Globalization Protesters Clash With Police at G-8 Summit
Aired June 01, 2003 - 16:08 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.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: A security force of 10,000 is protecting the summit, but that did not discourage protesters or prevent minor violence. Thousands of anti-globalization demonstrators clashed with police on both sides of the French-Swiss border. But for the most part, the protests were peaceful and way out of ear shot of some of the attendees. Police kept the groups 20 miles away from the summit site in Evian.
So who from G-8 members who require fortress-like protection? CNN's Robin Oakley takes a closer look at what some see as the world's most powerful gentlemen's club.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At Kananaskis last year, men in suits lined up for a G-8 photo opportunity against the Canadian Rockies. The year before, it was Genoa, Italy. The year before that, Okinawa in Japan. The rituals are familiar. The arriving leaders smile for the cameras wearing local headgear. They accept gifts and grin bravely through their dose of national culture.
Some of the globalists protesters get as close as they can, usually these days, not very close to make their point. Sometimes with humor. Sometimes violently. And having lectured most of the rest of the world on the need to boost growth and increase trade, the G-8 leaders climb back up the aircraft steps and head for home.
This is Pal Mal, London, where the great and the good mingle in gentlemen's clubs, making their own rules and admitting only those they choose. Some say the G-8 leaders from the U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and for the last few years, Russia, too, are doing just the same.
AJUDEEN ABUOUL-KAHEEM, JUSTICE SOUTH AFRICA: If they go for the reach on behalf of the rich and tough love for those that come from the underdeveloped and developing worlds. I should be ashamed to be one of that kind of exclusive club that makes decisions for the rest of the world without the rest of the world actually being reflected it in.
OAKLEY: India's huge population isn't represented, nor does the continent of Africa have a permanent member, nor South America. China, too, is only this year scraped an invitation as an observer. Calling for China to be included in future, one expert on the G-8 acknowledges the lack of legitimacy. RISTO PENTULA, SECURITY EXPERT: It's about management of international affairs by the great powers. It's very much a 19th century thing rather than 20th century thing where a great powers make up the rules and everyone else has to play accordingly.
OAKLEY: It's time, too, he says to trim the four European seats at the table to a single one for the European Union, but how would that go down with Britain, France, Germany and Italy?
PETULA: Well, they would be outraged, because giving up national sovereignty and national power would not be in the cards in today's world.
OAKLEY: So as the G-8 leaders get together here in Evian, you can be sure they have plenty to say about e forming the rest of the world. But not about their own club rules.
Robin Oakley, CNN, Evian, France.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Summit>
Aired June 1, 2003 - 16:08 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SOPHIA CHOI, CNN ANCHOR: A security force of 10,000 is protecting the summit, but that did not discourage protesters or prevent minor violence. Thousands of anti-globalization demonstrators clashed with police on both sides of the French-Swiss border. But for the most part, the protests were peaceful and way out of ear shot of some of the attendees. Police kept the groups 20 miles away from the summit site in Evian.
So who from G-8 members who require fortress-like protection? CNN's Robin Oakley takes a closer look at what some see as the world's most powerful gentlemen's club.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ROBIN OAKLEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): At Kananaskis last year, men in suits lined up for a G-8 photo opportunity against the Canadian Rockies. The year before, it was Genoa, Italy. The year before that, Okinawa in Japan. The rituals are familiar. The arriving leaders smile for the cameras wearing local headgear. They accept gifts and grin bravely through their dose of national culture.
Some of the globalists protesters get as close as they can, usually these days, not very close to make their point. Sometimes with humor. Sometimes violently. And having lectured most of the rest of the world on the need to boost growth and increase trade, the G-8 leaders climb back up the aircraft steps and head for home.
This is Pal Mal, London, where the great and the good mingle in gentlemen's clubs, making their own rules and admitting only those they choose. Some say the G-8 leaders from the U.S., Canada, Japan, the U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and for the last few years, Russia, too, are doing just the same.
AJUDEEN ABUOUL-KAHEEM, JUSTICE SOUTH AFRICA: If they go for the reach on behalf of the rich and tough love for those that come from the underdeveloped and developing worlds. I should be ashamed to be one of that kind of exclusive club that makes decisions for the rest of the world without the rest of the world actually being reflected it in.
OAKLEY: India's huge population isn't represented, nor does the continent of Africa have a permanent member, nor South America. China, too, is only this year scraped an invitation as an observer. Calling for China to be included in future, one expert on the G-8 acknowledges the lack of legitimacy. RISTO PENTULA, SECURITY EXPERT: It's about management of international affairs by the great powers. It's very much a 19th century thing rather than 20th century thing where a great powers make up the rules and everyone else has to play accordingly.
OAKLEY: It's time, too, he says to trim the four European seats at the table to a single one for the European Union, but how would that go down with Britain, France, Germany and Italy?
PETULA: Well, they would be outraged, because giving up national sovereignty and national power would not be in the cards in today's world.
OAKLEY: So as the G-8 leaders get together here in Evian, you can be sure they have plenty to say about e forming the rest of the world. But not about their own club rules.
Robin Oakley, CNN, Evian, France.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Summit>
