Hong Kong To Stock Chemical Antidotes For WTO Mtg

p>HONG KONG (AP)--The Hong Kong government has ordered hospitals to stock up on antidotes to cyanide and insecticide in preparation for chemical attacks during the World Trade Organization meeting in December, a newspaper reported Sunday.

Hong Kong's Hospital Authority is checking stocks of the chemicals sodium nitrite, sodium thiosulphate, hydroxocobalamin and pralidoxime - antidotes to cyanide and insecticide - the Ming Pao Daily News reported Sunday, citing unidentified sources.

WTO meetings typically draw protesters who claim the global trade system unfairly benefits rich countries at the expense of the poor. Some protests in the past have turned violent.

Hong Kong authorities have geared up for possibly violent disruptions, stocking up non-lethal ammunition like rubber bullets.

A Hospital Authority spokeswoman who declined to be named said the authority had a contingency plan for chemical attacks but declined to provide details. The Hong Kong government said it had no further comment.

WTO member nations aim to lay the groundwork for a treaty liberalizing global trade at the Hong Kong meeting, scheduled for Dec. 13-18.