[mobglob-discuss] FW: WTO to shut down, refound under new charter

[Gordon Flett]

No explanation needed. You're right Rick, it's just a bunch of bullshit.
New name, same old crap. A more honest name would be "Exploiting The
Poor Organization" or something like that.

Gord

rick wrote:
> 
> WTO to begin working to "ensure that trade benefits the poor"?? Sounds good
> to me, but my naivety leaves me feeling like i must be missing something.
> Anyone care to explain it to me? Is this some sort of damage control, like
> the renaming of the School of the Americas? Or should i just be happy that
> these men have seen the light, been reborn, and will now charge to the
> rescue of exploited nations around the world?
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: communications at gatt.org [mailto:communications at gatt.org]
> Sent: Thursday, May 23, 2002 3:52 AM
> To: rickm-sprint.ca
> Subject: WTO to shut down, refound under new charter
> 
> [NOTE: On May 21, information regarding the WTO's restructuring was
> released prematurely at a special luncheon of CPA Australia, Sydney
> (http://www.aapmedianet.com.au/scripts/DisplayRelease.dll?id=304601).
> The early release of this information, which met with overwhelming
> approval, has accelerated this announcement, originally scheduled for
> next Friday.]
> 
> May 23, 2002
> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
> 
> WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION WILL DISBAND, REFOUND UNDER NEW CHARTER
> 
> After a protracted and detailed review of current trade policy and its
> effects on developing countries, the World Trade Organization has
> decided to effect a cessation of all operations, to be accomplished
> over a period of four months, culminating in September. The WTO will
> reintegrate as a new trade body whose charter will be to ensure that
> trade benefits the poor.
> 
> As of September, agreements reached under the WTO will be suspended
> pending ratification by the new organization, tentatively referred to
> as the Trade Regulation Organization. Many existing agreements are
> likely to be re-ratified, but each will be subject to individual
> review for compliance with the TRO's charter, which is based upon the
> Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
> 
> The restructuring has come in response to numerous studies
> (http://www.gatt.org/trastat_e/) indicating that current trade
> liberalisation rules and policies have led to increased poverty and
> inequality, and have eroded democratic principles, with a
> disproportionately large effect on the poorest countries.
> 
> Under the restructuring, the GATS agreement will be scrapped entirely,
> and a new agreement regulating services will be forged after an
> assessment of the effects of past services liberalisation, and when
> there has been adequate opportunity for governments and civil society
> to analyse and debate new proposals.
> 
> In addition, all aspects of TRIPS, TRIMS, AoA, and other agreements
> will be reviewed with humanitarian and other considerations in mind,
> and will be progressively replaced with corresponding versions under
> the TRO.
> 
> Proposals and resolutions for the foundation of the TRO will be
> evaluated beginning in June according to their likelihood of
> furthering the TRO charter. Specifically this will mean redressing the
> imbalances of existing trade agreements; providing access for
> developing countries to developed countries’ markets; assessing the
> effects past trade liberalization and redressing problems where
> possible; and developing an enforceable framework for special and
> differential treatment guaranteeing that development policies are not
> undermined by trade agreements.
> 
> The immediate necessity, besides fixing core problems, will be to
> build a new regime of trust among members (notably between HIC and LDC
> members), with civil society organizations (NGOs), and with members of
> the public. The core goal is to establish rules whose priority is to
> benefit the poor, improve the environment, and strengthen democratic
> principles--in a pragmatic and immediate rather than theoretical and
> longterm sense.
> 
> In order to provide greater access to the Least Developed Countries
> who will most benefit from the existence of the TRO, the
> organisation's headquarters will be moved from their current location
> in Geneva to the capital of one of the LDCs. Proposals for final
> location are currently being solicited.
> 
> CONTACTS:
> 
> World Trade Organization Public Relations: communications at gatt.org
> CPA Australia Public Relations: barbara.magee at cpaaustralia.com.au
> 
> United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights:
> http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html
> 
> Studies page: http://www.gatt.org/trastat_e/
> 
> This release online: http://www.gatt.org/
> 
>                              # 30 #
> 
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