TORONTO – Finance ministers from 34 Western Hemisphere nations gathered in Toronto this week, preceding the April 20-22 Summit of the Americas in Quebec City. They will discuss the slowing U.S. economy, promoting sound fiscal policy in developing countries and fighting money laundering.
At the April 20-22 summit in Quebec City, heads of state will discuss the creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement, a trade zone that would stretch from Alaska to Patagonia. President Bush wants fast-track authority from Congress to proceed quickly on the agreement.
Today’s event is taking place amid heavy police presence outside the Four Seasons Hotel in the fashionable district of Toronto where the ministers are meeting. Video surveillance and barricades have been set up on all sides of the building.
Meanwhile the anti-globalization protests are continuing. On Monday more than 80 people were arrested during a protest outside the Foreign Affairs building in Ottawa. On Tuesday hundreds took part in another demonstration against the finance ministers meeting in Toronto. There was one arrest.
Thousands of police were used to keep the protesters far away from the Four Seasons Hotel where the ministers are meeting.
