WTO summit to go ahead

DOHA, Qatar -- A key World Trade Organization conference is to go ahead despite security fears in the wake of the suicide hijackings.

WTO Director-General Mike Moore said the conference, which intends to start work on new international trade agreements, would only be cancelled if "something seismic or catastrophic happens."

The conference had been in doubt because of heightened security fears in the wake of the September 11 attacks and the bombing campaign against on Afghanistan.

Previous WTO meetings have been marred by anti-globalisation riots but now there is the added fear of Osama bin Laden-inspired terrorism.

A spokesman for bin Laden's al Qaeda organisation has warned Westerners previously against remaining in the Gulf region.

But Moore told news agencies: ""We are going ahead with the conference as scheduled in Doha. We expect 141 countries to attend."

Qatar, a Gulf state with a population of 600,000 people and which borders Saudi Arabia, had campaigned behind the scenes to keep the November conference in Doha.

And on Sunday U.S. President George W. Bush indicated he was happy for Qatar to host the conference adding that the country was a key ally in his global coalition against terror.

As Qatar security chiefs look to reduce the risk of terror attack they will also have to contend with protesters representing a wide range of interests.

Greenpeace has confirmed its Rainbow Warrior protest ship is heading for Qatar to take part in peaceful demonstrations.

Remi Parmentier, political director for Greenpeace, said: "The Rainbow Warrior will be a platform to ensure that those who are most directly affected by WTO decisions, and are all to often ignored, have their voices heard.

"Too often, decisions by intergovernmental organisations are flawed because they do not take account of the realities and concerns of those who are likely to be affected by them"

Parmentier said Greenpeace had official permission from Qatar to be in Doha for the meeting.

Qatar has said it will allow peaceful protests during the conference which takes place between November 9-11.