DATE=3/15/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287598

TITLE=E-U SUMMIT (S)

BYLINE=ROGER WILKISON

DATELINE=BARCELONA

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: European Union leaders have opened a summit in Barcelona amid the tightest security the city has seen since it hosted the Olympic Games a decade ago. V-O-A correspondent Roger Wilkison reports the leaders are discussing ways to boost economic growth in the 15-nation bloc, but are also expected to deal with pressing international issues like the Middle East, Zimbabwe and the Balkans.

TEXT: The E-U leaders are being joined behind closed doors by leaders from the 13 countries that hope to join the bloc in the years ahead. They are also being briefed by Yugoslav President Vojislav Kostunica and Montenegrin leader Milo Djukanovic on an E-U / brokered deal that will keep Montenegro and Serbia (the remaining Yugoslav republics) together in a revived federation.

Spain has erected a huge security shield around the summit site and deployed thousands of extra police to fend off violence from anti-globalization demonstrators. The authorities are also worried about possible attacks by the Basque separatist group ETA and Islamic terrorists and have deployed anti-aircraft missiles and fighter jets to prevent any September 11th style raid.

The main aim of the summit is to push for liberalization of Europe's energy, labor and financial services markets. But France and Germany, the Union's two key members, are holding elections this year, and their leaders are reluctant to upset powerful labor unions and other vested interests. So, little real progress on economic reform is likely at the meeting. (Signed)

NEB/RW/KL/KBK