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Extra security for
bank meeting to
cost taxpayers
millions

The Asian Development Bank,
a target of anti-globalization groups,
will meet in Honolulu

---

By Gordon Y.K. Pang
Star-Bulletin

It will cost taxpayers an estimated $6.5 million to $7 million to provide security for the five-day Asian Development Bank conference in May.

But while the extra security is needed for possible protests, the May 7-11 gathering of the world's financial leaders at the Hawai'i Convention Center is also expected to pump $17 million to $20 million into the Hawaii economy.

"We have no doubt there will be a demonstration in conjunction with this meeting," said Bob Fishman, chief executive officer for the Hawaii Tourism Authority during a briefing before a City Council Committee yesterday.

The purpose of the Manila-based bank, which has 60 member nations led by the United States and Japan, is to eliminate poverty in Asia. But environmentalists and human rights groups are at odds with many of the organization's globalization policies.

Expected at the conference are 500 to 600 official delegates, 1,000 to 1,500 bank officials and other guests, and 400 to 500 media.

Tradition dictates the leader of the host country attends. "We have very strong reason to believe President Bush will be here to open the meeting," Fishman said.

What Hawaii law enforcement officials want to avoid is a repeat of the rampant -- and highly publicized -- rioting that marred and cut short the World Trade Organization's December 1999 meeting in Seattle.

Fishman said the violence there was one of the reasons bank officials chose to come to Hawaii.

There were an estimated 4,000 demonstrators at the bank's last meeting in Chiang Mai, Thailand, this past May, according to news reports.

On the closing day, about 2,000 riot police were deployed to keep at bay about 1,200 Thais who protested that bank-financed projects like dams have ruined their lives.

"They were orderly, they were loud, they made their point," said Fishman, who attended the proceedings. "They were able to succeed in getting world media attention, which was the purpose of their demonstration."

A group of federal, state and city law enforcement officials have been meeting for months, Fishman said. "You can rest assured that every potential upset to the equilibrium of our community is being brainstormed and prepared for."

About $500,000 is needed immediately to purchase equipment, Assistant Police Chief Boisse Correa said, part of some $6 million the police department will expend in association with the conference. The bulk of that will be for overtime and other personnel costs, he said.

All leaves and vacation among police officers have been canceled, while many of those normally on desk duty will be uniformed and on the streets, he said.

Correa said among the inconveniences residents should expect are road closures and diversions and the shutdown of area parks to give law enforcement staging areas.

Councilman John Henry Felix said he has some worries about the funding for the preparation.

But Fishman said he expects a good portion of the security costs to be reimbursed by the federal government. The city of Seattle got $4.5 million, he said.

Both Fishman and Correa emphasized that they do not want to discourage protest, only ensure that it is peaceful.

"We want the people of the world to know that there is a civil and civilized way for (protesters) to get in front of a camera and make their statements," Fishman said.