[asia-apec 1491] GATT Watchdog Media Release 23/7/00

[APEC Monitoring Group]

GATT WATCHDOG, PO BOX 1905 CHRISTCHURCH

                              MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE USE
23 July 2000
Fair Trade Group Seeks Singapore Free Trade Agreement Draft From Singapore
Government, Condemns NZ Government Secrecy

GATT Watchdog has written to Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and
its High Commissioner in Wellington requesting a copy of the draft text of
the free trade agreement being negotiated between New Zealand and Singapore.
This follows earlier refusals by the New Zealand Government to release it or
Cabinet papers setting out the rationale for the agreement and its scope.

"The secrecy which still surrounds New Zealand’s participation in
international negotiations on trade and investment liberalisation is utterly
unacceptable. It gives the lie to Labour-led government claims about its
commitment to open government and democracy.  It clearly does not want
genuine open debate about free trade and investment any more than previous
governments," said GATT Watchdog spokesman, Aziz Choudry.

"With APEC in a state of virtual paralysis, and the WTO so far failing to
kick off a new round of multilateral trade negotiations, the "Closer
Economic Partnership" with Singapore is a step towards a possible new trade
bloc including South East Asia, Australia and New Zealand.  Without seeing
the actual text it is very difficult for people to assess the real
implications of this agreement for New Zealand. The only material which the
Government has deigned to release is so general and one-sided it is almost
meaningless.

"We understand that Jim Sutton will report on the negotiations – which
appear to have hit problems – to Cabinet in the next week or two.  Meanwhile
we hope the Singapore government does the right thing and releases the text
to us.

"The Government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade show no sign of
departing from the secretive, anti-democratic tradition of New Zealand’s
participation in trade and investment liberalisation negotiations. This is
not the first time we have sought such information from overseas because New
Zealand trade officials and ministers operate in such secrecy.

"In 1992 the Dunkel draft of the GATT Agreement was obtained from overseas
because New Zealand trade officials would not release it for scrutiny.  In
1996 we were only able to raise questions about New Zealand’s draft APEC
Individual Action Plan when a copy was leaked from Asia.  In 1997, the
posting of draft texts of the controversial Multilateral Agreement on
Investment (MAI) on the Internet by Canadian campaigners enabled a number of
New Zealand organisations and the wider public – including the Alliance – to
raise concerns about the MAI many of which New Zealand officials finally had
to concede might be justified.

"Even the National Government finally released the draft text of the MAI
while negotiations were still continuing, as well as Cabinet briefing papers
and decisions and other official documents including communications between
MFAT and other ministries.  The current government is unwilling to go even
that far with this agreement.  What is it trying to hide?"
For further comment, ph Aziz Choudry: (03) 3662803

(Letter attached)




Director, Trade Division
Ministry of Trade and Industry
100 High Street 309-01,
The Treasury
SINGAPORE 179434
Fax: 65 3348135


High Commissioner
Singapore High Commission
17 Kabul St
Khandallah
WELLINGTON
Fax: 04 479 2315


21 July 2000

Dear Sir

GATT Watchdog is a Christchurch, New Zealand-based coalition of community
groups and non-government organisations committed to education and action on
alternatives to the global market economy.

Since 1990 we have been at the forefront of education and analysis of New
Zealand participation in trade and investment liberalisation which has
greatly contributed to national debate about these issues.

We are writing to request a copy of the text of the draft Closer Economic
Partnership agreement currently being negotiated between the New Zealand and
Singapore governments.

There is keen public interest in this agreement in New Zealand. We sincerely
hope that you are able to help with our request.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely



Aziz Choudry
GATT Watchdog