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(as told by phone from Doha)
Saturday, 10 November -- More than sixty protestors lined the corridor leading to the US Trade Representative's press briefing on China on Saturday evening in Doha.
Holding placards calling for "No arm-twisting" and chanting "Zoellick go home" and "US marines out of the WTO," the demonstrators were cheered by delegates and press alike. Since the start of the meeting, many delegates have been muttering complaints about the US' imperial behaviour in Doha, exemplified by US Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick who never moves without a Roman phalanx of US marines rudely jostling anyone who stands in their way.
The behaviour of the US authorities stands in contrast to that of the Qataris, who are being extremely flexible in their approach to the demonstrations. So much so that many NGOs have suggested that the Qataris should go to the US and Italy to teach them how to relate to demonstrators.
French activist Jose Bove even seems to have a small fan club amongst the security
guards. Bove, whose highly recognisable face has appeared all over the press,
is regularly stopped by guards who seem caught between preventing him from entering
rooms and wanting to have their photo taken with the famous farmer. Bove obliges
happily, no doubt with a pipe jammed in the corner of his mouth.
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