Date:07/07/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/07/07/stories/2005070705971400.htm

International

Clashes mark start of G-8 Gleneagles summit

Hasan Suroor

Shops and businesses regarded as "symbols'' of unbridled globalisation attacked

A BATTLE OF WILL: Protesters are dragged by police from the motorway near Gleneagles, Scotland on Wednesday. — PHOTO: AP

LONDON: Angry anti-globalisation protesters fought running battles with the police as leaders of the world's richest nations gathered in the picturesque Gleneagles estate, near Edinburgh in Scotland, on Wednesday for a summit seen as a test of their political will to deliver on their pledge to alleviate poverty in Africa — the dominant theme of the three-day summit.

Despite one of the biggest security operations, violence erupted as activists of "anarchist'' groups attacked shops and businesses they regarded as "symbols'' of unbridled globalisation. Several protesters and police officers were injured, and a number of arrests were made.

Police feared more trouble ahead of a march, close to the venue of the summit, and warned that they would respond "robustly.''

Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is hosting the Group of Eight industrialised nations' gathering and has pushed Africa to the top of the agenda, faced accusations of exploiting the issue of poverty in Africa to improve his international image battered by the events in Iraq.

In recent weeks, Mr. Blair has engaged in high-profile diplomacy to mobilise support for a generous package of aid and debt relief for African countries, hailed as the new "Marshall Plan'' by Chancellor Gordon Brown. But the big question as he laid out the red carpet for his powerful guests, including U.S. President George W. Bush, was whether he would be able to pull off his ambitious plans. After weeks of hype, there were attempts to play down expectations amid reports that not all G-8 nations shared Britain's enthusiasm for doubling aid to Africa and other anti-poverty measures. Mr. Brown, who was accused of "spinning'' the level of debt relief, was reported as admitting that the final deal "might not be good enough.'' He blamed it on a "lack of political will'' among G-8 leaders prompting speculation that the summit could end up with a weak compromise on major issues. Bob Geldof, pop celebrity spearheading the campaign, arrived at Gleneagles determined to snatch "victory'' as hundreds of protesters planned to lay siege to the summit venue. "I'm not prepared to be disappointed. I don't think that is an option. We have come for victory. It has to happen now. Not to do it now would be grotesquely irresponsible,'' he said.