CROATIA'S 'GREEN ACTION' PEACEFULLY PROTESTS AGAINST WTO

ZAGREB, Dec 2 (Hina) - Croatia's Green Action (ZA) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest in downtown Zagreb in support of protests citizens' associations around the world have been staging against the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which they consider accountable for negative development trends. Members of the ZA placed a banner reading "WTO - World Trade Occupation" in front of the Ban Jelacic monument on Zagreb's central city square. According to ZA president Toni Vidan, Croatian citizens are insufficiently informed about all aspects relative to access to the WTO. The aim of today's protest is to warn the Croatian public about what the WTO is and who it serves, he added. This week's WTO summit in Seattle has been meeting with large-scale protests and have also resulted in conflicts between protesters and security. The ZO points out the WTO acts in the interest of international corporations, while simultaneously neglecting human, union, and consumer rights, and the right to a healthy environment. The ZO also believes there is no sense in inciting poor countries to join the WTO if at the same time they are denied the possibility of contributing with their specific values to the improvement of international trade conditions which would be acceptable for the protection of the environment. (hina) ha