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Former U.S. defence policy adviser Richard Perle shot down criticism about the secrecy of the group's meetings.
"It's a private organization," he said. He denied the charge, advanced by Bilderberg critics, that the organization crafts public policy behind closed doors.
"It discusses public policy," he said.
Perle also dismissed suggestions the group's heavy representation from the oil industry gives it influence over global energy prices.
"If it did, I'd be trading on oil futures," he said.
A former assistant secretary of defence to President Ronald Reagan, Perle is still considered an influential adviser in U.S. conservative circles. He advised President George W. Bush and is said to be a close friend of Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
In 2003, he publicly chastised the Canadian government for refusing to send troops to Iraq and warned that "lame-duck" Prime Minister Jean Chretien would be embarrassed once weapons of mass destruction were found.
Also seen arriving Thursday were Jorma Ollila, chairman of Royal Dutch Shell, and Egil Myklebust, chairman of Scandinavian Airlines.
According to an unsigned press release, presumably by Bilderberg organizers, attendees will also include New York Governor George Pataki, former Iraqi deputy prime minister Ahmad Chalabi, the heads of Coca-Cola, Credit Suisse, the Royal Bank of Canada, a number of media moguls, and cabinet ministers from Spain and Greece.
The release confirmed this year's meeting will deal with energy issues, Iran, the Middle East, terrorism, immigration, Russia, European-American relations and Asia.
"The meeting is private to encourage frank and open discussion," said the release. "There will be no press conference."