Protestors gather ahead of Miami talks

Описание: (16 Nov 2003)
1. Various of FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas ) forum grounds
2. Police securing area
3. Various of city workers and police personnel building barricades and protection fences
4. Various of anti-FTAA campaign headquarters
5. Helicopter squadron flying over Miami streets
6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Mitty Valdes, Anti-FTAA activist (from Sonoma State University, Cali Mexico):
"I'm hoping they (the police) are trying to do their job without going over the limit. But I understand there have already been some arrests "
7. "Global liberation" sign.
8. "People over profit" sign
9. Cutaway of camera crews
10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Doyle Canning, Member of "Mobilization to Stop FTAA":
"It is an agreement that was written by and for transnational corporations. Transnational corporations are here in Miami as part of the America's business forum writing the rules in their interest and we are here to stop the FTAA."
11. Various of anti-FTAA activists making protest signs and banners
12. US flags at FTAA forum grounds
13. Helicopter squadron flying over grounds
14. Coast Guard police
15. Various of mounted police on patrol

STORYLINE:

As officials from 34 nations in the Western Hemisphere were about to start negotiations on creating the world's largest free trade bloc, hundreds of anti-globalization activists on Sunday finalised their preparations to protests against the proposals.

The proposed free trade area spanning the Western Hemisphere has divided American businesses and workers, with many taking different sides on whether it will help the US economy or cause massive loss of jobs across the country.

Many US farmers and labour unions are strongly opposed to the Free Trade Area of the Americas summit which starts on Sunday in Miami.

Security has been stepped up heavily to prevent clashes between protesters and police.

Anti-FTAA groups say that hundreds of thousands of American jobs will be lost and many farmers will be wiped out if foreign growers can flood the United States with cheap goods under the FTAA, set for creation by January 2005.

But businesses such as manufacturers and computer companies are pushing for the agreement, arguing it will open up new markets for America's 10 (T) trillion dollar economy.

The FTAA proposes eliminating or reducing trade barriers among all the nations in the Western Hemisphere, except Cuba. The 34-nation bloc would consist of 800 (M) million people and have a collective economic output of more than 14 (T) trillion dollars a year.

Trade ministers at the Miami meeting will discuss areas including market access, agriculture, investment, competition policy, intellectual property rights, subsidies and antidumping duties.

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