Protesters and politicians gear up for APEC

by ryan | September 4, 2007 at 08:36 am

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As anti-war sentiments reach new heights, APEC leaders are set to gather in Sydney Australia. The meeting comes at a sensitive time for President Bush as he prepares for a report from US military leaders on the progress of the troop surge in Iraq.

As in years past, protesters are geared to make a ruckus and be heard.

The Australian host city of Sydney is bracing for the arrival of world leaders and thousands of demonstrators for the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation summit amid unprecedented security measures.

U.S. President George W. Bush, Chinese President Hu Jintao and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper are slated to join leaders from 20 APEC countries at the city's famed Opera House along to discuss issues such as trade, North Korea, Iran and global warming.

Some 3,500 police and 1,500 counter-terrorism and special forces have been deployed to protect delegates during the weeklong summit.

A three-metre high security fence that spans five kilometres has been erected around the summit areas as demonstrators began converging on the city on Tuesday. More than 20,000 protesters are expected during the height of talks over the weekend, according to police estimates.