[asia-apec 1626] The People's Caravan 2000
Anuradha Mittal
amittal at foodfirst.org
Tue Oct 31 08:34:17 JST 2000
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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