We want to stress the importance of the Atlantic alliance, which has provided the guarantee of world peace for 50 years. The May 24-28 annual meeting of the the Bilderberg group, a shadowy discussion forum for the Western world's power elite, was held at a hotel in Stenungsund on the Swedish west coast sealed off from the public and the media by 900 metres of fencing patrolled by private guards and police. A one-page statement obtained by Reuters said participants would discuss defence, productivity, agriculture and globalisation as well as Europe, Russia, China, Japan and the Middle East. The Cold War has now ended. Taylor denied that the group sought to buy influence, saying it aimed to educate and enlighten people.
People here have very different points of view.
If they come here and hear a new idea, that's a good thing. Bilderberg seeks no influence at all. The Swedish branch of the anti-globalisation Attac movement had warned of protests but only a handful of demonstrators turned out. Police said there was no trouble. With the exception of the secretary-general, Bilderberg participants are obliged to remain silent on what goes on at meetings.