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WTO says Qatar meet will happen

Officials and envoys to the WTO said on Thursday the body's key ministerial conference would go ahead in Qatar next week despite security fears and squabbling over a new trade round.

"Of course it will take place, barring any totally unforeseen drama," said one ambassador to the 142-member WTO. "No one is seriously going to put it in question now."

The envoy spoke as a senior trade official in the US confirmed that a US team led by Trade Representative Robert Zoellick would be at the gathering in the Qatari capital Doha from Nov. 9-13.

In Geneva, WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell told reporters no member country had withdrawn from the meeting, though non-member Cambodia said its observer team would not attend.

"The Qataris have given every assurance it will be safe in Doha," said Rockwell. "They have done a lot of work to ensure that their security measures are up with the best."

Fears of possible terrorist incidents surfaced after the attacks in the US on Sept. 11 and intensified amid rising Muslim anger over the US bombing in Afghanistan.
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