The WTO Riots commonly called "The Battle of Seattle" had a very large impact on Seattle. The WTO riots basically shut down downtown Seattle for 5 days. Businesses have lost millions of dollars due to lack of people and vandalism. People around the world watched the WTO riots from their homes on television. Many people have realized that if you want something bad enough to happen, you can make it happen. There have been additional losses in tourism due to damaged reputations and/or public anxiety about living in or visiting Seattle. The World Trade Organization was established on January 1, 1995. As of April 23, 2004, it had 147 member countries. The WTO amounts to 162 million Swiss francs as of 1 January 2004. The number of staff members in the Secretariat is 600. The chief of staff is Supachai Panitchpakdi and he is director general. The establishment of the WTO is primarily in the interest of the United States. Just as it was the United States that stopped the founding of the International Trade Organization (ITO) in 1948, when it believed it would not ensure overwhelming economic dominance in the postwar world, so it was the United States that became the campaign's principal supporter for the Uruguay Round and the founding of the WTO, when he believed that more competitive global conditions had created a situation in which his corporate interests now required an opposing position. The WTO performs various functions including administering the WTO trade agreement, organizing forums for trade negotiations, managing trade disputes, monitoring national trade policies, providing technical assistance and training to developing countries development and cooperation with other international organizations. On November 30, 1999, the World Trade Organization was to hold a meeting in Seattle, Washington, for what was expected to be the launch of a new round of trade negotiations. The negotiations, which were unsuccessful, were overshadowed by massive and controversial street protests outside hotels and the convention center. They were protesting the convening of the WTO because they believe the WTO puts profits above human rights and environmental concerns and that its policies reflect the commercial interests of multinational corporations. This is the cause of the WTO riots. Planning for the events began months in advance and involved local, national and international organizations. Among the most notable participants were national and international non-governmental organizations (particularly those concerned with labor, environmental and consumer protection issues), trade unions, student groups, faith-based groups and anarchists..