[asia-apec 1515] Anti-WTO demo in Mike Moore's hometown

[APEC Monitoring Group]

Mainstream media report of yesterday's GATT Watchdog demo against WTO

The Press, Christchurch
TUESDAY, 15 AUGUST 2000


      N A T I O N A L   N E W S   S T O R Y
Moore takes a hammering from protesters
15 AUGUST 2000

World Trade Organisation director-general Mike Moore was called a traitor by
free trade opponents during a small but raucous protest in Christchurch on
Monday.

Mr Moore, escorted by a member of the Diplomatic Protection Service, arrived
at the Centra Hotel just before midday to address the Canterbury Employers'
Chamber of Commerce.

He was met by about 60 protesters, some wearing Mike Moore masks, who
chanted "Mad Mike on your bike" and held signs saying "Free trade is costing
the Earth". They shouted "traitor" as he quickly entered the building.

Christchurch mayor Garry Moore, Labour MP Clayton Cosgrove and former
National finance minister Ruth Richardson also attended the lunch-time
meeting.

Opening his speech inside the hotel Mr Moore thanked the protesters for
being his "guard of honour."

"I don't know why all these people come to protest against Ruth (Richardson)
and the mayor," he joked.

At a press conference following his speech he said it was one of the great
honours of his life to be the first New Zealander "burnt in effigy in four
continents".

Gatt Watchdog, which organised the protest, had an "Unguided Missile Award"
to present to Mr Moore. The award recognised his services as "undermining
the credibility and functions of the WTO" and fuelling division within the
organisation.

Gatt-watchdog spokesman and protest organiser Murray Horton said he was
impressed by the number of young people who took part in the demonstration.

"They've recognised the issue of globalisation as one that they're concerned
about and that's a big change."

He said the protest was not a personal attack on Mr Moore but against the
philosophies of his organisation. "Mike Moore presents himself as a man of
the people and champion of small countries but in reality he's acting on
behalf of some of the biggest transnational companies and the most powerful
countries."

Anti-free trade activist Aziz Choudry said it was becoming "more and more
untenable for governments to say there is no alternative to free trade."

He said opposing free trade was not the same as opposing all trade and
investment. "The issue is who has the right to determine what the rules
are."

The demonstration lasted two hours and was closely monitored by four
uniformed police.

Senior Sergeant John Doherty of Christchurch police said the protesters were
"well behaved and good natured". - NZPA