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

[Garth Mullins]

I do not believe that the WTO is disbanding and reforming, of that it has
admitted that its policies have caused increased poverty and the erosion of
democracy. Somebody must be hacking the website. Has this been reported in the
media? Why is there not a huge international party underway? If one is to believe
the GATT website (the WTO side makes no mention) then the new Trade Regulation
Organization would still be a PR stunt. Anyway, this seems like crap to me.

g

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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