WEF Coming To Dublin

by frostillicus Wed Jan 15, 2003 01:24

when is it taking place?

by Brian Cahill - Socialist Party Wed Jan 15, 2003 06:36

Tomorrow's Irish Times confirms that negotiations between the WEF and the government are ongoing. No date has been set.

by Ruairi Wed Jan 15, 2003 10:34

let's hope the WEF know they will receive a huge Cead Mile Failte when/if they arrive!

Austrian style that is!

by gobsmacked Wed Jan 15, 2003 12:36

Violence fear in plan to host global summit

IRELAND may have to brace itself for violent clashes between gardai and anti-globalisation protestors after reports that the European Economic Summit will move its annual summit from Salzburg to Dublin this year.

The EES is a brainchild of the World Economic Forum (WEF), a powerful global think-tank detested by anti-capitalism campaigners. The WEF will host its annual summit in the small Swiss town of Davos next week, with Tanaiste Mary Harney in attendance.

It was Ms Harney's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment which last year indicated it would be "positively disposed" to hosting the European Economic Summit in Ireland. And according to reports in the Austrian media yesterday, a switch to Ireland has been decided.

A spokesman for the Tanaiste said: "Our understanding is the matter is still under discussion and no final decision has been reached."

For the last eight years the summit has been based in Salzburg, drawing ever more violent protests each year from thousands of demonstrators.

The last two years have been particularly bad as highly organised gangs of protestors attacked Austrian police, who responded with tear gas and water cannons.

The founder of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab, reportedly announced yesterday that the offshoot summit was moving to Dublin. The summit is due to be held in September next, with precise dates yet to be fixed.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment said yesterday that it anticipated that a great deal of work would be generated by the summit's requirements. It suggested Ireland had not formally bid for the gathering, but had been sounded out last year by the parent body.

The WEF is one of the most powerful corporate entities on the planet. Next week's annual summit will draw dozens of heads of state and other politicians, together with thousands of business leaders and journalists.

More than 1,000 major corporations worldwide are members of WEF, including two Irish companies - AIB and Eircom.

Senan Molony Political Correspondent