[asia-apec 883] News & Stories from Asia Pacific Peoples' Assembly

[APPA]

THE RAG
Resistance Against Globalisation

APPA Daily Bulletin No. 6, Saturday, November 14, 1998


PEOPLE REJECT APEC
APPA issue forums unanimously reject APEC's globalisation agenda

Federal Hotel, Fri: The message was clear, and in no uncertain terms: APEC
and its globalisation agenda must go. This was the tone of the Plenary
Session on the fourth day of the Asia-Pacific Peoples' Assembly (APPA) in
Kuala Lumpur.
	The 700 participants representing people from 25 countries resolved that
globalisation must be resisted and the peoples' right asserted. 
	Speaker after speaker who touched on the economic crisis, lay the blame on
globalisation.
	
Urban poor
Participants declared that: 'Globalisation has brought about rural-urban
migration and urban land speculation, while governments in the Asia-Pacific
are generally incapable of addressing the problems of their burgeoning
cities, including the housing needs of the poor'. 			The forum called for
governments in the Asia-Pacific to recognise housing as a basic human
right,  to stop forced evictions, ratify the International Covenant on
Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and allocate a budget for social
housing.

Human rights
The forum agreed that "economic globalisation has led to an increase in
violations of civil and political rights including arbitrary detentions,
unfair trials and political imprisonment as repressive governments clamp
down on attempts to resist the violation of economic, social and cultural
rights".
	According to Sinapan Samydorai of the Human Rights Forum, "the APEC
process, by denying access and participation by NGOs, and putting decision
making in the hands of unrepresentative governments advised by un-elected
business entities, effectively violates article 21 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights".  
	The forum called for the im-mediate release of political prisoners and the
abolition of national security laws, as well as the establishment of
independent national human rights institutions according to internationally
recognised principles and the creation of a regional mechanism for the
promotion and protection of human rights.
	
Indigenous people
The Indigenous Peoples' Forum made it clear that globalisation will further
undermine the rights of indigenous peoples, most especially their inherent
rights to ancestral lands. "We view the globalisation policy imposed on us
by imperialist nations and international financial institutions to further
the economic interest at our expense, as a threat to our existence as
indigenous peoples, and we hold that this threat should no longer be
tolerated but must be confronted at all levels."
	The forum called for Asian governments to recognise the existence of
indigenous peoples in their countries and give them citizenship,
particularly the indigenous peoples of Thailand and the Orang Asli of
Malaysia; to ensure that affected communities are involved in development
projects from inception to implementation, monitoring and evaluation; to
ensure biodiversity conservation without depriving indigenous people access
to their resources; and to repeal all laws that deprive the rights of
indigenous people to their land and resources.

Environment and forestry
The forum pointed to the impact of the Asian financial crisis on forest
ecosystems and community around the Pacific Rim and noted that the IMF is
accelerating forest destruction. 
	Forest activists called on all APEC countries to halt further discussions
on the forest sector Early Voluntary Sectoral Liberalisation (EVSL) process
pending a full independent assessment on environmental and social and
cultural impacts of timber trade deregulation, and full public
participation in APEC decisions that affect forest use. The forum also
called on APEC governments to recognise, respect and protect indigenous
people's rights to traditional lands.

Women
"Women suffer most from globalisation in Asia where the economic crisis has
brought massive unemployment and displacement. This has resulted in
increased impoverishment and poverty," declared the Third Women's
Conference Against APEC. It called for the establishment of standard
minimum rules by the UN for the treatment and promotion of the rights of
trafficked women and the rejection of APEC. 

Land, food security and sustainable agriculture
The forum found that globalisation is destroying local food production,
food security, culture, local knowledge systems and biodiversity. "It is
endangering the lives of people, destroying land, forest and water. 
International trade mechanisms, like the WTO and APEC are destroying the
structure of agricultural production and consumption, particularly in rural
areas and have negative impacts on livelihood and food security.  These
impacts are being felt by small farmers and fisherfolk, and by consumers in
the South and North."
	The forum demanded that the WTOÕs Agreement on Agriculture be removed by
1999-2000. It called upon governments to support sustainable and ecological
agriculture, ensure food security, and promote a sustainable livelihood for
traditional fishing communities as well as the ban of
genetically-engineered organisms, foods and seeds.   

Migrant workers
The forum resolved to campaign against wage cuts of migrant workers and
monitor pre-departure and post-arrival orientation programs so that these
emphasise migrant workers' rights. It also called for the ratification of
UN conventions.

Privatisation and financial deregulation
Limited access to basic necessities such as education, public amenities and
healthcare as a result of privatisation has denied people, in particular
women, access to "safe, appropriate and affordable quality preventive and
curative healthcare". "We firmly believe that healthcare, public services
and education should be based on need and not the ability to pay ... Public
services must be publicly funded and controlled. They must be transparent
in their policies," the forum concluded. 
	The forum also resolved to resist any attempts by local or international
capital to privatise and dominate these essential services and called for
the regulation of global capital and the implementation of a tax on its
predatory movements. 

Labour
Globalisation and liberalisation have resulted in "the erosion of workers"
rights, the greater exploitation of labour with mass unemployment,
contractualisation, causalisation and flexibalisation" and the reduction
and destruction of social services through privatisation. ÒAll these have
had their most negative impact on workers, especially women and migrant
workers," the forum declared. It called for a stop to global capital
liberalisation and demanded the immediate release of Dita Sari and other
imprisoned labour activists. 

Education
The Education International Forum blamed privatisation for cuts in
education and called on APEC governments to increase funding for education,
even during the economic crisis.

US-Japan militarist agenda
The US and Japan have been most active in pushing globalisation, coercing
countries to comply with GATT-WTO-IMF-World Bank and APEC policies to open
the door to Òcorporate plunder by monstrous TNCs". In order to protect
these interests and to suppress peoples' movements challenging them, the US
and Japan have increased their military presence in the region.
	The forum called for the abolition of all US military agreements and
treaties (US-Japan Security Treaty and Defense Cooperation Guidelines,
proposed Philippines-US Visiting Forces Agreement, Taiwan Relations Act),
removal of US bases in the region, an end to US-trained Indonesian
military, and a conclusion to the North Korean-US peace treaty.


CULTURAL VILLAGE OFFERS WELCOME BREAK

Sky room, Federal Hotel, Fri: The Cultural Village on the 15th floor opened
to a steady stream of visitors today. APPA delegates seeking a break from
the day's plenary session took time out to browse through a selection of
books, t-shirts, bags, postcards, indigenous arts and craft, and curios.
	The Cultural Village is a part of The Peoples' Fest - the cultural
component of APPA - and follows five nights of film, poetry and dance
performances at Filmnet Cafe in Jalan Ampang. Kultcha.com member Dorothy
Chen described the turn out as reasonable but hoped more participants would
take time off tomorrow to visit the Village. Nevertheless, she was
surprised at the brisk sales. "The books and videos sold very well,' she
said, suggesting that overseas delegates may wish to shop for souvenirs
here. "Some of the merchandise such as cards and tee-shirts make great
presents."
	Over 70 publications cover topics ranging from pesticides to politics,
published by organisations such as Asia-Pacific Research and Resource
Centre for Women, Women's Aid Organisation, JUST Trust, Pesticide Action
Network, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact and ALTSEAN. On top of this, visitors
had a good time playing "congkak" (a traditional Southeast Asian game) and
carom, received "hair wraps" and relaxed with Reiki massage sessions.
	"Beautiful, multi-coloured hair wraps cost only RM2 to RM5 each," Dorothy
said. "Eu Jin, our persevering volunteer, not only did a good job with hair
but also kept visitors entertained with various snippets of information;
for example, did you know that a study showed that 60% of women are more
likely to suffer in the mating game compared to men? Or that hair wraps can
be maintained for up to a year?"
	Other visitors chose to pick up a brush and paint on the large banner
backdrop behind the stage. 
Sculptor Norizan Muslim set up an environmentally-themed display of ants
and scorpions made from spark plugs and various metal "throw-aways" only a
short distance from a minimalist installation work by artist, Ilann.  	In
another section of the Sky Room, participants could chill out watching a
variety of videos - billed as "scenes not seen on Malaysian TV" - including
Mothers of Bakun, Forced Evictions and APCET 2, the second Conference on
East Timor in Kuala Lumpur which was broken up by force.
	Around 20 participants of the Popular Theatre Workshop  facilitated by
Charlene Rajendran were asked to let their hair down; one exercise had two
groups competing to make the longest human line using their bodies and
clothing (some even stretched their hair across the floor).  
	Tomorrow, delegates and volunteers will have the chance to attend a
Popular Education Workshop which will be facilitated by Jerald Joseph of
KOMAS (a popular local communications centre). The highlight of the
Peoples' Festival will be the Peoples' Concert, a cultural night which will
include dances, skits, poetry readings and traditional performances in
commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. That begins at 8pm, but organisers hope more delegates will find
time to wander up to the Sky Room throughout the day. "The Cultural Village
is just a good place to hang out!" Dorothy assures.


ANWAR IN PERSPECTIVE
By Antonio Tujan Jr., Cutting Edge

When one arrives in Kuala Lumpur, what strikes any visitor is its
manicured, developed beauty. Unlike most cities in Southeast Asia, KL has a
greater share of tall buildings, a testament to more than 10 years of
sustained growth and influx of foreign investment. Everywhere is evidence
of an overall hand, as in the landscaping even in the downtown areas where
you find a lot of transplanted trees and plants.
	More than the landscaping, a testament to this growth is the tallest
building in the world, one of the longest bridges in the world, and KLIA, a
new generation super-airport linked by a mini-railway similar to the Kansai
Airport and the new Hong Kong airport.
	But this beauty and development has broken up recently in demonstrations
against the imprisonment of former deputy prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. The
demonstrations have been sustained and have gripped the whole of the
country as a mock trial progresses.  Two weeks ago, these demonstrations
turned violent as the police and civilian ÔvolunteersÕ turned a
demonstration at a mosque into a melee, giving the police the excuse to
arrest more than 100 protestors.
	Indeed the manicured beauty of KL belies, and also indicates, the degree
of political and social control of the autocratic regime of Mahathir. The
Internal Security Act provides blanket authority to stifle any form of
dissent, or what looks like dissent. Three persons together can constitute
a meeting or a rally, and which technically requires a permit. 
	The ISA is not the only mechanism to keep Malaysians in check. The
Printing Presses and Publications Act has become an instrument that
enforces a strong form of self-censorship. Under this law, activist Irene
Fernandez has been arrested and only temporarily released with a sword of
Damocles over her head in the form of continued court trials.
	Students may not organise or link with the rest of the population under a
Universities and University Colleges Act which has caused the arrest and
detention of many brave students.
	Just like in the Philippines martial law period in the 70s, it takes a lot
of bravery to dissent in Malaysia.  But while Marcos, as well as Suharto,
imposed a blatant form of dictatorship marked by violent repression,
MahathirÕs rule has been more insidious.
	While the issue has been drummed up to be the issue of Anwar's
incarceration in Manila, it is quite obvious that the bigger issue is
social justice and democracy for the people. Just like for us Filipinos
during Marcos, it was not just justice for Aquino, but justice for all.
This is symbolised by the white ribbons that Malaysians wear proudly.
	Furthermore, the Anwar issue has similarly opened up a venue for the
layperson in Malaysia to awaken and draw up courage to find truth in
dissent.  The Anwar issue has become a very successful vehicle to
conscientise, to see through the lies and to openly talk about the
situation. The Anwar issue has become a focus to resist and an opportunity
for democracy to grow.


THE TRUTH BEHIND APEC 

"A new APEC for the new millenium ... where world leaders and corporate
giants meet."

APEC, we have a problem. 700 participants from 25 countries assembled at
the Asia-Pacific Peoples' Assembly (APPA) in Kuala Lumpur to put an end to
corporate-led economic models such as APEC. APPA participants are witness
to the devastating impacts on communities by neo-liberalism that APEC
proposes, and represent the voices of people in the Asia-Pacific region who
the APEC summit refuses to acknowledge.
	Not a single participant listed in the official advertisement for the APEC
business summit represents the needs of the people. The fact that it boasts
workshops entitled, "CEO Roundtable: Business For What?  Before Profit,
Beyond Profit" and "Foreign Direct Investment - Where The New Opportunities
Lie" attest to this.	
	Make no mistake about it. The corporate sponsorship of the APEC Summit
makes it criminal. Not only is the primary goal of APEC to maximise
corporate profits completely wrong, the track records of the corporate
sponsors stink! Check this out:

UNOCAL
The giant oil company is currently being sued in the US on 10 counts
including Environmental Destruction, Unfair and Unethical Treatment of
Workers, Complicity in Aiding Oppression of Women in Afghanistan,
Complicity in Enslavement and Forced Labor in Burma, Killings, Complicity
in Torture and Rape in Burma and Complicity in Gradual Cultural Genocide of
Tribal and Indigenous Peoples in Canada and Burma. Need we say more?

Enron International
The largest natural gas corporation in the US, Enron is taking full
advantage of the privatisation of the various sectors in Southern countries
under pressure from IMF/World Bank-led policies.  
	In India and the Philippines, Enron is charging excessive prices for its
services, and in complicity with the government, is responsible for various
human rights violations in India, as documented by Amnesty International.
In countries like Argentina, Kuwait, and Mozambique, Enron has been dogged
by allegations that it used political influence in the US to win lucrative
contracts. Enron is also under fire for the pipeline projects proposed in
Bolivia, Peru, and Brazil. In addition, EnronÕs claim of natural gas being
clean energy is hogwash.

Ford Motor Company and General Motors
One of the two largest TNCs in the world, Ford recently sponsored a
commercial-free airing of Schindler's List on American TV, an epic movie
about the Holocaust. Now, that's ironic. 
	According to a report by the United States Senate Committee on Judiciary
in 1974, Òthe Ford Motor Company and General Motors supplied both sides in
World War II with materials needed to conduct the war... In Germany, for
example, Ford and General Motors became an integral part of the Nazi war
efforts ... In 1938, Ford's chief executive received the Nazi German Eagle
(first class)..."  
	To top it off, GM and Ford demanded reparations from the US government for
wartime damages sustained by their Axis allies as a result of Allied
bombing. Ford received around US$1 million. Had the Nazis won, GM and Ford
would have appeared impeccably Nazi; as Hitler lost, they emerged
impeccably American. (Ford Malaysia recently donated RM50,000 to APEC.)

International Paper
The single largest private landowner in the US, IP "manages" over six
million acres of forest. In 1997, IP was the largest paper producer in the
world operating in 31 countries with markets in 130 countries. Target of
various campaigns, in 1991, the CEO and board of IP were charged with
violating a variety of pollution laws, destroying evidence and lying to the
US government.  IP's leaders plea bargained these charges down to five
felony convictions for criminal violations of the Clean Air Act and Clean
Water Act and also paid US$2.2 million in fines.  Today, IP continues to
degrade communities and the environment all across the world.

Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley
Q: What's the difference between Zambia and Goldman Sachs?  
A: One is an African country that makes US$2.2 billion a year and shares it
among 25 million people. The other is an investment bank that makes US$2.6
billion ... and shares it among 161 people. (The Guardian, 1991)
Goldman Sachs has come under scrutiny by activists in recent months because
of its role in the financial crisis underway. Goldman Sachs and Morgan
Stanley are largely responsible for the speculative nature of financial
flows that have contributed to the current crisis. 
	They are also part of the "big five" merchant banks that are constantly
consulted on the "bail-out" clauses negotiated between the IMF and impacted
economies so as to minimise all risks to them. The crisis has served them
well Ð with the weakened currencies in Asia, both groups are actively
buying up assets in all nations. Look for them to be bigger players in
years to come as a result of their vulturism.

Other "corporate" sponsors include the World Bank Inc. and AETNA (a "top 5"
insurance company in the US looking for privatised healthcare markets). Are
we prepared to do business with such corporations? What guarantees do we
have that they will not destroy our communities as they have done
elsewhere? Absolutely None! 
	APPA, let us work together to put an end to such corporate-led initiatives
that prioritise corporate profits over basic human rights. Please send us
your TNC-specific campaign materials regularly so we can continue to
document corporate abuses worldwide. Say NO to APEC!

Contributed by Amit Srivastava, TRAC/Corporate Watch, USA. For
documentation of the allegations made above, visit http://www.corpwatch.org
or email amit at igc.org  


BEHIND THE SCENES
Tireless APPA volunteers

The Asia-Pacific People's Assembly has run smoothly, thanks largely to a
group of volunteers who have selflessly contributed both time and effort to
making it a success. According to Volunteers Co-ordinator Justine Yong,
there are 40 regular volunteers and some 15 who just pop in unannounced to
offer their services. 
	"Frankly, I think without them a lot of things would have stalled," Yong
said. "There are a lot of emergencies and last minute requirements, and
they've helped out tremendously with things like registration,
transportation and documenting."
	One regular volunteer, Clare, has been at it since Monday, collecting and
keying in articles.
    	"Our church encourages us to be actively involved in social issues and
helping at this assembly has helped me understand better the issues of this
region. It has been enjoyable working here and meeting people from so many
different countries," she said.
	Walk-in volunteer Jane Chia has helped out over two nights, going home
only after 3am and 5am respectively. She then tries to get some sleep
before rising for work!
	"To tell you the truth, I didn't know what I was in for. But I wanted to
help out; efforts like APPA's need to be encouraged and supported. It's one
of the avenues for non-mainstream views. It's inspiring that there are
people fighting against official versions of anything," she said.
	"It's a good cause," agreed music teacher Praem, who's been helping out
with The Rag since Monday.
	"I've always been involved with NGOs and issues concerning the rise of the
people," explained Praem. It has been a hectic week for her. For the past
week she's been working through nights and sleeping in the day. But that's
okay, she quipped. "I work better at night anyway."
	There are even some who come all the way  from outstation. Students Chua
Seong Khoon and Ong Ching Wen, on their semester break, are in KL to
participate and help out. They were involved in the Youth & Student Forum
and have been chauffering volunteers and participants about.  They've also
doubled up as security, keeping a look-out for unwelcome strays like the
"special branch".
	"There's a big student movement in Indonesia right now," said Chua, "and
their experiences are interesting to us."
     "It's a good opportunity to link up with other student leaders in the
country," added Ong, "as well as activists from other countries. I'm
enjoying it. It's not necessarily that holidays are about visiting tourist
spots."
	Asked if they worry that their universities might disapprove of their
activities, Chua had this to say: "It's just like your parents saying don't
do something. But you do it anyway and donÕt tell them. That's how I see
it."
	"I think if we always think in terms of what the authorities dictate, we
wouldn't be able to do anything. Besides, we're not doing anything wrong,"
Ong said.