Environmentalists, animal rights activists,
conservationists and many other groups are preparing to assemble in
Seattle from November 30 - December 3, during the Ministerial Meeting of
the World Trade Organization (WTO), to voice their opinions about the
WTO's decisions which have endangered wildlife and the environment.
Most people know very little about the WTO which was
formed in 1995 to lower tariffs, remove trade barriers and resolve trade
disputes. But many people who do know about the WTO are rightfully
concerned that something has gone very wrong with this group which
regulates world trade.
The WTO elevates economics over all else. So it has
overturned laws to protect turtles and dolphins, banned the European
Union's support for banana farmers in the Caribbean, outlawed
restrictions on the use of leg traps in the fur trade, and overruled the
European Union's ban on imports of beef injected with growth hormones.
The US has promised its agri-business lobby to challenge the EU's
regulations on planting and labeling of genetically modified crops and
foods.
The following article was submitted by [email protected]
who plans to join in demonstrations in Seattle this coming week.
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As the new millennium approaches no one knows for sure
what the new year will bring, but did you ever imagine that your
government would sign away our rights in exchange for global commerce?
The World Trade Organization has, and it plans to do it again starting
Nov. 29th, this time looking to expand their power even more. The WTO is
a very undemocratic process that meets in private and the public has no
say in what is decided behind closed doors, giving transnational
corporations power over governments and their laws. If a country has a
law that is a barrier to trade, a dispute panel can decide to either
weaken or overturn that law. Of course, protecting animals and their
habitat is a barrier to trade and is not in the best interest of
transnational corporations. For instance;
* The Marine Mammal Protection Act: The Marine Mammal
Protection Act banned the import of tuna from countries whose fleets use
fishing methods that kill dolphins. In 1992 this law was challenged
under GATT (the WTO's predecessor) on the grounds that it was a barrier
to trade, and a dispute panel ruled against the Marine Mammal Protection
Act. Last year, Congress weakened the Marine Mammal Protection Act to
comply with the ruling. This year, US supermarkets will once again sell
tuna that is caught using methods that kill thousands of dolphins each
year.
* The Endangered Species Act: The Endangered Species Act
banned shrimp imports from countries that do not use simple and
inexpensive devices designed to keep endangered sea turtles out of
shrimp nets. In 1995, four nations challenged this law, claiming that it
violated the rules of the WTO. Last October, the WTO ruled against the
US ban on unsafe shrimp imports. The US government is now considering
weakening the Endangered Species Act to comply with the WTO's ruling.
Just a few points to come up at this WTO ministerial
summit are:
* unregulated genetic engineering of crops and livestock,
* the patenting of genetically modified organisms,
* a global free logging trade (a priority for Clinton),
*loss of consumer's right to know as to genetic engineering, pesticides,
lack of inspections, origin, labeling, etc.,
and there is much, much more at stake, impacting all aspects of society
and the planet. If you can, come to Seattle and join us as we shut down
the WTO with, mass nonviolent direct action, protest's, teach-in's,
giant street theater, music, and much more. For more information and
ways you can help
WTO Ministerial -- Seattle, WA - November 27 - December
3, 1999
http://www.seattlewto.org/
and
Global Trade Watch Home Page
http://www.tradewatch.org/
Urge members of Congress to sign Rep. Bernie Sanders'
(I-VT), "Dear Colleague" letter demanding WTO's review and repair. To
find your congressmen on-line;
THOMAS -- U.S. Congress on the Internet
http://www.congress.gov
Urge your senators to oppose the launch of a new round
of WTO negotiations in Seattle and to endorse an assessment of the WTO's
record to date To find your senators on line;
U.S. Senate
http://www.senate.gov
Contact the U.S. negotiators and tell them why you think
we should conduct an assessment of the WTO rather than expand it. Make
sure to mention that you oppose any investment negotiations in the WTO.
U.S. Trade Representatives (the agency in charge of WTO
talks) is
Charlene Barshefsky, phone: (202) 395-6890, fax:(202)395-4549
White House: John Podesta: (202) 456-1414
Vice President Gore: (202) 456-1111, e-mail: [email protected]
White House Fax Line: (202) 456-2461
Go on to
Greyhound Racing ~ Where the Winners Never Win
Return to 28 November 1999 Issue
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