PRESS RELEASE IN RESPONSE TO THE CANCELLATION OF THE WORLD BANK CONFERENCE IN BARCELONA

THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING, A DIFFERENT WORLD WILL BE POSSIBLE

In view of the cancellation de the World Bankís Conference on Development Economics, the co-ordination commission of the Campaign Againts the World Bank BCN2001, states:

- that the cancellation of the Conference is an unprecedented success of the movement against capitalist globalisation.

- that this cancellation constitutes a clear proof that citizen's mobilisation can be decisive to change the current neoliberal model.

- that the objectives of the World Bank with this failed Conference were simply an image washing operation which would have been impossible because of the strength and wide extent of the expected mobilisations.

- that the reasons given by the World Bank's spokespersons in order to justify its retreat show the void democratic culture of that institution and its ineptitude to understand the reality of a number of movements much more socially representative than those institutions.

- that the motives which had inspired the protests still exist, and therefore that the mobilisations will carry on as expected, despite the cancellation of the official meeting.
that the success of the prepared for mobilisations against the World Bank, as well as the renascence of the struggles in Catalunya and the Spanish State (Sintel, Plan Hidrológico Nacional (national plan on water distribution), the struggle against the Immigration Bill, and so on), constitute another setback for the policies of the PP (Popular Party) and CiU (governing party in Catalunya).

- that the representatives of the globalised capitalism feel threatened by popular movements against globalisation. They, who meet in towers surrounded by walls and soldiers in order to stay apart from the people whom they oppress, wish to appear as victims. They, who have at their disposal the resources of the planet, complain that those who have nothing wanted to have their voice heard.

- that next Tuesday, 22 May, at 19:30pm, we will meet in assembly in order to assess the new situation, and we will call a press conference next Wednesday, 23 May (venue and other details will be announced in due time)
Co-ordination Commission

Campaign Against the World Bank, Barcelona 2001