[asia-apec 1349] Social Policy Think Tank Releases Trade Principles

[Anuradha Mittal]

For Immediate Release
Nov. 23, 1999
Contact: Anuradha Mittal
(510) 654-4400 (ext. 108)
>From 26 Nov-3 Dec., 1999: Cell
Phone: 404-664-6812

Social Policy Think Tank Releases Trade Principles
on the Eve of WTO Negotiations in Seattle

OAKLAND, CA--Food First/The Institute for Food and Development Policy -- 
a policy think tank concerned with social and economic issues -- 
released a set of principles to guide the formulation of trade policy.

"Since 1973 the income gap between rich and poor nations has grown from 
44 to 1 to 72 to 1. The gap between rich and poor within most countries 
has grown rapidly as well, followed closely by deepening social 
problems. We have seen increased homelessness and hunger in America, 
even in times of economic prosperity. Behind this alarming picture lie 
structural changes in the global economy brought about by rapid 
increases in trade and capital flows," said Dr. Peter Rosset, the 
Institute's Executive Director and the principal author of the report.

"As our nation considers the World Trade Organization (WTO) 
negotiations, and Fast Authority for the President on trade treaties, we 
need principles to guide," he said.  "The key is to ensure that trade 
serves the interests of ordinary people, not the other way around.

"Basic human rights like the right to food and to a job with dignity --
must have a higher priority than profit taking," said Ms. Anuradha 
Mittal, Policy Director at the Institute.

The 18 principles described in the report "Food First Trade Principles", 
offer guidelines to avoid the trap of trade agreements that promote 
corporate profits at the expense of growing underemployment and lagging 
wages.

The full text of the report is available on-line at:

http://www.foodfirst.org/pubs/backgrdrs/1999/f99v5n2.html

Some of the principles include the need to cancel the debt burden of 
Third World countries, a "no net job loss clause," and the requirement 
that trade agreements not supercede international agreements on human 
rights or the environment.

Rosset, Peter. 1999.  "Food First Trade Principles."  Institute for Food 
and Development Policy, Food First Backgrounder, vol. 5, no. 2.
*******************************************************************

ATTENTION REPORTERS: Policy Director Anuradha Mittal, and Executive
Director Dr. Peter Rosset, of Food First/The Institute for Food and
Development Policy, will be in Seattle for the WTO meetings, events, 
etc. from November 26 - December 3rd.

They will be available to comment on the following topics:

* food security, hunger and the WTO
* small farmers and the WTO
* bioengineered foods, intellectual property rights, and the WTO
* principles for fairer trade
* economic human rights and the WTO
* food as a human right, and the WTO
* free trade vs. broadbased economic development
* the WTO ans sustainable agriculture
* etc.

They can be contacted *before* November 26 at the Food First office --
details at the end of this message.

>From November 26 to December 3rd, you may contact in Seattle them as 
follows:

Cell Phone: 404-664-6812

Nov. 26-28
Alexis Hotel, 1007 First Avenue
Tel: 206-624-4844,
Fax: 206-621-9009

Nov. 28 - Dec. 3
Vagabond Inn, 325 Aurora Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109
Phone:  (206) 441-0400
or 1/800-522-1555
Fax:  (206) 448-3353

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

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