Secretive Bilderberg Club ready for protests

Spanish prime mininster Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is expected to open this year’s meeting of the Bilderberg club, near Barcelona

Graham Keeley

Times

Amid huge security, the Bilderberg Club, the organisation which is said to secretly control the world, is prepared the meet at an exclusive resort near Barcelona.

Air space was closed near Sitges, as members of the club which numbers among its members kings, presidents and business moguls, arrived for a three-day meeting starting tomorrow.

The club was rendezvousing at the Hotel Dolce in Sitges, a five-star hotel in the upmarket resort outside Barcelona, which boasts some of the highest property prices in Spain.

Among those believed to be attending this year’s meeting was said to be Queen Sofia of Spain, Queen Beatrice of Holland and Prince Philippe of Belgium.

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Among the politicians who are rumoured to be attending are Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, the Spanish Prime Minister, who is said to be giving the introductory address.

According to Spanish media reports Miguel Angel Moratinos, the Spanish Foreign Minister and Pedro Solbes, Spain’s former Economy Minister will also be at the three-day meeting.

Tony Blair has repeatedly denied attending the organisations closed-door meetings around the world.

As Spain struggles to claw its way out of its worst recession in years, heavyweight figures from the world of business and economics will be on hand to give some advice. Pascal Lamy, the director-general of the World Trade Organisation, Jean-Claude Trichet, the president of the European Central Bank, Jaap de Hoop Scheffer, the Nato Secretary-General and Robert Zoellick, the president of the World Bank, are said to be among the members due to attend. Romano Prodi, the ex-president of the European Commission is also scheduled to arrive.

Overseeing proceedings will be David Rockefeller, who in 1954 was one of the founders of the Bilderberg Group.

Among the subjects thought to be up for discussions are the future of the euro and the dollar, the lessons to be drawn from the Grecian financial bailout, the fight against terrorism, and the threats against Nato from Afghanistan, Iran and Russia.

The discussions over the fate of the euro might prove particularly pertinent for Mr Zapatero and his government, which have come under pressure recently from the markets concerned Spain was about to join Greece in the economic quagmire.

Hotel Dolce staff have been sworn to secrecy about what happens within the meetings of the Bilderberg Club. However, it has been reported that some members of the club are bringing their own staff to ensure privacy.

However, after word of the rendezvous leaked out, protestors from across Europe started gathering in Sitges to protest against at the secret get together. Protestors have opened Facebook pages and blogs. Under a banner reading ‘We know who you are and where you are’, protestors intend to form a cordon around the complex in which the hotel is situated.

But Spanish police have already ringed the Hotel Dolce.

Sitges, which plays host to a share of Hollywood stars once during its annual film festival, commands some most expensive real estate in Spain with villas valued at up to €20 million.

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