[Ip-health] Doha will happen in Doha...

[Ellen 't Hoen]

BC-ATTACK-QATAR-WTO (URGENT)
WTO trade meeting to go ahead as planned in Qatar

    DOHA, Oct 22 (Reuters) - World Trade Organisation (WTO)
Director General Mike Moore said on Monday that trade ministers
would hold their meeting on schedule next month in Qatar despite
security concerns following U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan.
    "We are going ahead with the conference as scheduled in
Doha," Moore told reporters in the Qatari capital.
    He said the level of participation would not be affected by
security concerns, adding: "We expect 141 countries to attend."
He said only "one small country" would be absent from the
November 9-13 meeting.
    There had been strong indications that many countries wanted
the gathering transferred, probably to Singapore, because of
growing tensions in Muslim countries over the U.S.-led raids.
    The meeting is to expected to try to launch a new round of
global trade talks.


REUTERS
REUT 09:03 10-22-01

   WTO chief says conference to go ahead in Qatar next month

    DOHA, Oct 22 (AFP) - World Trade Organization Director General
Mike Moore confirmed Monday that a key WTO ministerial conference
would go ahead as planned in Qatar next month, saying he was sure it
would succeed.
    "I am confident that the conference will achieve its goals with
all the facilities offered by Qatar," Moore told the official QNA
news agency.
    The despatch made no mention of reports the November 9-13
conference could be switched to a venue away from the close
proximity of Afghanistan for security reasons.
    Moore, who spoke after talks with Foreign Minister Hamad bin
Jassam al-Thani, arrived Saturday to complete preparations for the
meeting.
    tm/bp/mb
AFP


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