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Protests with a difference in Hong Kong

N. Ravi Kumar

NGOs attempt to present `empty development box' to Mandelson

Hong Kong: If much of world trade is about creativity, non-governmental organisations opposed to the World Trade Organisation and free trade are equally ingenious in their protests.

These ranged from the protesters coming with face masks and helmets to take on the police and pepper sprays on Tuesday, when the WTO ministerial conference opened here, to giving a feel of the Christmas, 10 days in advance, to European Union Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson.

Gift from protesters

Positioning themselves outside the hall, where the top EU trade negotiator was briefing the media, members of several NGOs under the banner of `Our world is not for sale' tried to present him a gift — `an empty development box.'

The protesters, dressed up as Santa Claus, sang to the tune of jingle bells: "Aid for Trade. Mandelson, Mandelson. This gift we give to you, trade for aid, is the game you play, it's empty through and through..."

Their chorus brought not only media personnel out of the meeting but also security personnel there.

Mr. Mandelson did not accept the `gift'. He was escorted out under heavy security. The smiles on the faces of the protesters, however, beamed a `so far, so good sign.'

U.S., E.U. blamed

A statement issued during the protest blamed the United States and the EU for attempting to put a "development spin" on the Hong Kong ministerial with their offer of a "package" comprising aid for trade, and non-binding duty free market access for the least developing countries.

"The development package spin may fool some people unfamiliar with the WTO negotiations but to many NGOs and social movements this is a face-saving device to create the illusion of a successful ministerial which is development oriented".

On Wednesday night Greenpeace employed laser projection highlighting the `stop toxic trade' message onto the convention centre. But once the police used bright spotlight to reduce its effect, the NGO sported the time-tested banners.

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