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World Economic Forum begins amidst tight security

More than 2,500 world's most powerful business and political leaders began exchanging views Thursday on a myriad of subjects, from recession to reducing poverty and restoring sustained growth, amidst high security in New York.

In an apparent attempt to counteract the image of World Economic Forum as rich persons club promoting globalisation for profit, some 40 religious leaders, 200 think tank representatives and more than 30 union leaders have been invited to participate in discussion to make the it "more representative".

Afghan leader Hamid Karzai is slated to address the Forum and also meet some of the leading business leaders in an attempt to get foreign investment for his war-torn country.

Roads around Wadorf-Astoria hotel, venue of the five-day meet, were closed to vehicular traffic with concrete barriers and sand-filled trucks positioned to prevent any trespass.

The airspace over the hotel was 'frozen' and policemen posted in sensitive areas including underground rail stations in the vicinity of the venue to prevent any untoward incidents.

The venue of the meet was changed from Davos ski resort in Switzerland to New York to show solidarity with the city in the wake of September 11 terrorist attacks.

The meet will not come out with any communique or document, the organisers said, adding that it was just a forum for informal discussion.

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