[news] Hunger Strike Enters 17th Day

[Steve Kisby]

http://www.alternatives.com/prms/2003/vsfc1112.pdf

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Contact:	Rob Baxter, 604.267.6065
	rbaxter at epilogicconsulting.com

Hunger Strike Enters 17th Day
Pettigrew's Office Implies Protest Not Constructive

VANCOUVER -- November 12, 2003 -- The hunger strike against the FTAA has entered its 17th day with word from Minister Pierre Pettigrew's office implying the protest was not constructive and claiming that the government had already engaged in extensive consultations with citizen groups. The activists have requested a meeting with Federal Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew to voice their and others concerns over Canada's negotiating position at the upcoming FTAA ministerial meeting in Miami on November 20 and 21.

A spokesperson for the hunger strike responded by saying, "We believe that it is the government's consultation process which had been unconstructive. While the Liberal Government has allowed input they have continually ignored that input. When governments continue to ignore citizen concerns, citizens are forced to resort to new forms of protest."

For example, many Canadians have expressed concern about that fact that the FTAA could force Canada to turn control of its municipal water systems over to multinational corporations. The FTAA could also prevent Canada from protecting its fresh water resources in rivers and lakes. Yet, the federal government refuses to exempt water from the negotiating table.

Vancouver activists began the hunger strike on October 27 to protest Canada's negotiating position at the upcoming FTAA (Free Trade Area of the Americas) ministerial meeting in Miami. Activists have set up a camp at the Peace Arch border crossing as part of the protest. The protesters have presented a series of principles that they would like immediate action on (attached).

For more information on the hunger strike visit: http://www.economicjustice.ca
The event is being organized by Artists For Peace (http://www.artistsforpeace.ca)

Principles for Immediate Action

1. The City of Vancouver pass a resolution declaring Vancouver an FTAA-free zone.

2. The Federal Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew come to Vancouver and meet with the hunger strikers at our protest site before he attends the FTAA Summit in Miami this November.

3. The Canadian government commence action to repeal the investor-state provision of NAFTA (chapter 11) and preclude it's inclusion in the FTAA.

4. Before any Americas trade deal is signed by Canada, the Canadian government must take action to ensure that the rights of all of this continent's peoples are protected by a written code of human rights, signed by all countries involved, with real enforceable provisions.

5. A federal referendum be held to determine our (Canadian) participation in all present and future International Trade Agreements.

6. The FTAA not infringe on the right of local indigenous communities and nations to govern themselves, including the ability of those local communities and nations to control resources and lands within their territories.

For more information, please also see:

1. Global Exchange's "Top Ten Reasons to Oppose the Free Trade Area of the Americas": http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/ftaa/Top10NoFTAA.pdf  http://www.globalexchange.org/ftaa/topten.html

2. Council of Canadians' "Stop the FTAA": http://www.canadians.org/documents/stop_the_ftaa-e.pdf  http://www.canadians.org/display_document.htm?id=108&isdoc=1

3. Vancouver Hunger Strike Against the FTAA: 
http://www.economicjustice.ca