[asia-apec 1626] The People's Caravan 2000

[Anuradha Mittal]

Building up to the Peoples' Caravan 2000, which will take place from 
Nov. 13-30, 2000, we will issue several press releases to keep our 
members informed. 

many thanks,

Anuradha Mittal


The People's Caravan 2000 

Land and Food Without Poisons!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE						Contact: Nick Parker
30 October 2000							(510) 654-4400 (x 229)

PRESS RELEASE

Trade Liberalisation Still Forging Ahead with Dangerous Consequences for 
Developing Countries

Bilateral and regional trade agreements forged by the United States (US) 
outside multilateral institutions like the World Trade Organisation 
(WTO) to protect its own market and advance its interests has alarmed 
various non governmental organisations and civil society groups across 
the globe.

These agreements, merely promising illusory benefits, are highly
inequitable and cause for concern says Pesticide Action Network Asia and 
the Pacific (PAN AP), a coalition of over 150 groups in 18 countries.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that the victory obtained by civil
society groups at the historic "Battle of Seattle" in halting further 
trade liberalisation is quickly being eroded. The reforms being obtained 
by the US are the same reforms fiercely opposed by developing countries 
at the last ministerial meeting of the WTO in Seattle. 

The US, unsuccessful in Seattle in linking labour issues to trade, has
successfully included this issue in a recent agreement with Cambodia and 
through the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) which became US 
law in May 2000. The latter demands that African countries guarantee
international labour standards and sets a minimum age for child labour.

"While we support labour standards, we believe they should not be linked 
to trade.  The linkage of labour to trade is clearly a protectionist 
instrument. The proper fora for discussion of labour standards is the 
International Labour Organisation", said Sarojeni Rengam, Executive 
Director of PAN AP.

Anuradha Mittal, Co Director of Food First, "United States through the 
WTO has created a race to the bottom and is largely responsible for 
exploitation of workers around the world. And when the US has economic 
concerns around trade, it raises social policy such as labor standards 
in trade talks. This hypocricy of US administration needs to be 
challenged."
  
Through the AGOA, the US also requires African countries to minimise
government interference in economic matters. Martin Khor, Director of 
Third World Network pointed out that these requirements " very much 
constrain a country's ability to set its own balanced policy or strategy 
in relation to the government's role in the economy."
 
To alert and caution developing countries on these recent developments, 
PANAP together with its partners in India, Bangladesh and the 
Philippines, in collaboration with the U.S.-based Food First/Institute 
for Food and Development Policy is organising "The People's 
Caravan:Citizens on the Move for Land and Food Without Poisons!" from 
November 13-30. 

The People's Caravan will highlight how such agreements, purportedly
providing benefits, will in fact lead to developing countries and its
people suffering at the mercy of TNCs the real winners. 

The reforms obtained by the US sets a dangerous precedent for poor
countries to sign trade agreements with developed countries that promise 
to make them globally competitive on the world market.

"If one takes a closer look, it is clear that these agreements have one
thing in common the US has successfully managed to obtain market access 
for its goods while protecting its own markets from cheaper goods from 
these developing countries", Ms. Rengam said. 

The People's Caravan, travelling through India, Bangladesh and the
Philippines will culminate in Manila on November 30 with a celebration 
of activities to commemorate "One Year Since Seattle".

Join the fight against hunger. For more information contact foodfirst at foodfirst.org.

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