MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Violent street clashes signal APEC summit

Violent protests and clashes with the police marked on Friday the preamble of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum hosted by Chile and which will extend until Sunday with the participation of the leaders of the world's most powerful block, 21 country members that include United Sates, China, Japan, Russia, Indonesia, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, and Mexico among others.

The final count of today's protests was over 200 people arrested and dozens with minor injuries when the police charged with water cannons, tear gas and batons to disperse the aggressive mobs that began burning US flags and rioting in downtown Santiago even before President George Bush arrived in Chile 20:45 hour local time.

A first unauthorized protest of an estimated 200 radicals and organized by the anti-globalization and Anti-APEC Coordinator Marcos Riquelme, turned into an open battle ground just a few blocks away from the presidential palace with demonstrators regrouping each time they were dispersed by riot police.

"Carabineros are attacking us with all their repressive power just like in the times of the (1973-1990) military dictatorship" claimed Coordinator Marco Riquelme who was finally arrested.

Several television crews and reporters apparently were also beaten by the police forces during the clashes.

Meanwhile in a nearby park an authorized rally from the Chilean Social Forum with 30,000 people attending including families with children, also turned into violent clashes when hooded infiltrators began attacking police forces and destroying property.

In a few minutes the programmed peaceful march became a chaotic brawl with police fighting back with water cannons, tear gas and attempting to arrest provocateurs while some demonstrators tried to protect them and others ran for cover.

Among those needing medical attention were children and elderly people who were trampled or fainted because of the tear gas. Hundreds of signs condemning APEC and globalization as well as giant caricature puppets of US president Bush were abandoned in the battle scene.

To ensure the safety of the APEC summit delegates an estimated 5,000 police forces have been deployed in Santiago, roadblocks ban access to downtown and Friday was declared a national holiday to help clear the city.

APEC country members are: Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, the United States and Vietnam.