Hundreds held over Apec protests

By Clinton Porteous
BBC News, Santiago

Tens of thousands of people marched on the eve of the summit

A total of 690 people were detained and 20 police injured in Chile during protests against the Apec forum, according to a final government tally.

Chilean authorities will press charges against some protest leaders and are considering who will pay for damage.

An anti-Apec rally on the eve of the leaders' meeting ended in violence and there were other scattered incidents.

It is the first time a South American country has hosted the Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation forum.

'Mostly peaceful'

Despite the detention of almost 700 people, the Chilean government said it was pleased with security during the Apec summit.

A senior government minister blamed a small number of people for violence at the end of a march that attracted tens of thousands of people.

George Bush was a focus of protesters' ire

He said the parade itself had been peaceful.

Television images of the chaos were shown around the world on the eve of the summit.

But during the meeting itself, there were relatively few incidents.

Instead, much of the focus was on tensions between American and Chilean security forces.

US President George W Bush personally intervened to get his top security aide inside a building after Chilean guards refused him entry.

Then, an official dinner for Mr Bush, with hundreds of invited guests, was cancelled after a reported disagreement over security arrangements.

Chile was the first South American nation to host Apec.

Most Chileans seem to think the event was a success, but are also glad it is over and that life can get back to normal.