SEE ALSO:
press releases
WTO news
Mike Moore's speeches
Renato Ruggiero's speeches,
1995-99
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The United
States of America, like all free nations, has a history of peaceful protest. Peaceful
protests have led to important reforms and great achievements in the United States. Such
protests have been instrumental in leading to a process of dialogue and engagement that
had paved the way for achievement. But violence and destructive behaviour have never been
part of that process.Violence is never an
appropriate way to settle differences. I know that the violence comes from a tiny segment
who through such actions detract from those who have come here to constructively protest.
The World Trade Organization has sought in recent years to expand its contacts with people
from all segments of society. Our efforts at transparency have not been perfect. More work
needs to be done. But progress in this area can only be made through constructive
dialogue.
Here
in Seattle we have witnessed a very sad day. I urge all people here to show the maximum of
restraint in the coming days as we seek to reach an outcome which benefits working
families across the world. This is a Ministerial Conference. It is about the right of
Ministers to represent their people. I ask people here to respect the rights of the people
in other countries, in India, in Fiji and in South Africa to name only a few. |
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