CHICAGO-If the real estate world needs one more assurance thatcurrent global troubles are not impacting the property troubles,then the presenting companies at the National Association of RealEstate Investment Trusts' REITWeek 2010 here are trying to soothethose worries. Just about every official from every trust at theconference here said that while they were initially concerned,issues with the Euro, Iran, North Korea, Israel and other globalconflict are not having a negative effect on business.

Fore example, Guy Jaquier, president, Europe & Asia for SanFrancisco-based AMB Property Corp., said his global supply chaintenants are moving boxes faster than in years past. “World strifeis not changing usage patterns. We’re still out there signingleases. I woke up this morning for this to see emails about twomore leases we put together. People are still pulling the trigger,”he said.

David Atkins, chief executive of London-based Hammerson plc,said tenants really have no other options if they want to continueto make money. “Basically, retailers need to grow. The only waythey can grow is to cut costs or improve marketing, which they’vedone as much as they can, or add square footage,” he said.