SYDNEY, Nov 15: Anti-globalization protestors scuffled briefly with police on Friday as they tried to break through barriers around a meeting of world trade ministers at Sydney’s Olympic Park.

A squad of about 35 riot police charged the several dozen protestors as they tried to breech the 2.5 metre fence chanting “No police violence”.

The outbreak was quickly brought under control and police lined up in front of the fence to deter any further attempts by protestors to break through to the hotel where the 25 trade ministers were meeting.

Several hundred other protestors, many wearing masks and crash helmets, then surrounded a small police contingent, taunting them with chants of “Push, Push”, but the crowd dispersed without further indicent.

Police said they detained four protestors.

The ministers from member countries of the World Trade Organisation included officials from the United States, European Union, Japan and developing nations including Brazil, India and China.

Australia organised the meeting in a bid to kickstart flagging global trade negotiations which opponents say are biased in favor of rich nations and multinational businesses.

In their morning session, the ministers reportedly reached agreement on a plan to give the world’s poorest nations better access to medicines needed to fight HIV/AIDS and other killer diseases.

About 2,000 protestors gathered to oppose the meeting, but were kept far away from the venue at a hotel inside the compound built for the 2000 Olympic Games.

Carrying a large banner saying “Capitalism breeds war — smash imperialists”, the protestors set off from a train station about three kilometres from the site.—AFP