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

[Pete Lypkie]

just as a side note, perhaps you should take a look at the differences
between "www.wto.org" and "www.gatt.org", and i think you'll understand this
"press release" a little bit more ;)

On Thu, May 23, 2002 at 10:28:49AM -0700, Gordon Flett wrote:
> 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 #
> > 
> > To unsubscribe from the WTO press list, write
> > mailto:unsub at gatt.org?subject=rickm at sprint.ca.
> > 
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-- 

	-Pete