Posted by WTO Watch Qld on November 12, 2002 at 23:46:44:
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
"We are in desperate shape.
You couldn't possibly understand, you who were born in golden cradles and
have never suffered. But we don't have food to feed our children. Our
markets are flooded with cheap imports. Imported milk is dumped in
Ecuador for half of what it costs to produce it, but transnationals
[mostly Nestle] sell it back to us at $1.80 per litre. We have no way
to live, and the FTAA will only make it worse. When we complain, the
U.S. government calls us terrorists. We are not threatening anything,
but we are hungry and tired and things have to change."
Leonidas Iza, the President of the CONAIE (the Ecuadorian indigenous federation), at the FTAA meeting in Quito
1) COMING EVENTS
2) FOCUS ON THE GOOD NEWS
(ED: There has been so little good news around lately that I thought we might all need cheering up. Therefore this edition of the bulletin will publish only a selection of good news stories from around the world.....stories which reflect the stand being taken against injustice and corporate power by ordinary people. All the stories have been snipped, and the full texts are available from me. )
a) GATS
b) The ongoing fight against food irradiation in Brisbane
c) Anti-Free Trade Protests in Quito End on Positive Note (This is a 'must read')
d) More about Cochabamba
e) Philippines puts Brakes on trade Liberalisation
f) Cochabamba activist donates prize money to the people
g) 10 million Brazillians vote against FTAA
h) Brazil Elects Lula in a Landslide
i) Oil Company Bows to grass Roots Pressure
j) New Orleans Water Privatization Bids Defeated
k) Nicaragua Passes National Law to Suspend Water Privatization!
l) Mbeki on the spot
=================================================================
1) COMING EVENTS
WTO Sydney Latest News and Publicity
Mini Ministerial to meet at Homebush
The Government has announced that the Novotel Hotel at Olympic Park Homebush will be the venue for the "informal" meeting of 25 Trade Ministers of WTO Member governments on November 14-15.
The Government has not yet formally announced the full list of WTO member governments invited. The list is expected to include: Australia (host) Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, the European Commission, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lesotho, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, Thailand the US and one country from the Caribbean.
A wide range of organisations has endorsed the seminar on Sunday November 10 and the Rally on Thursday November 14 at Hyde Park Please circulate to your networks.
Please bring the banner of your organisation to the rally on the 14th.
STAND UP FOR GLOBAL JUSTICE STOP THE WTO AGENDA
PEACEFUL RALLY
Thursday 14 NOV 2002 12 Noon HYDE PARK FOUNTAIN
COG performing live
Speakers include Allen Madden, Metropolitan Land Council; Doug Cameron, National Secretary, Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union; Joy Chavez, Focus on the Global South, Philippines; Father Brian Gore, Jubilee Drop the Debt Campaign; Shane Rattenbury Greenpeace; John Robertson, Secretary, NSW Labour Council; The Rev Dr Ann Wansbrough, Uniting Church Minister.
For more information: www.aftinet.org.au
Sarah Mitchell
Administrative Officer - Policy & Training
Public Interest Advocacy Centre
Level 1, 46-48 York Street
Sydney NSW 2000
ph: 02 9299 7833
email: smitchell@piac.asn.au
website: www.piac.asn.au
=============================================
a) GATS
The Australian Local Government Association has been holding its annual conference in Alice Springs this week and the great news is that yesterday (11/11/02) the conference passed the following motion.
Motion 07: That this Assembly:
believes public policy regarding the regulation, funding and provision of essential services should be made democratically by governments at national, state and local level
calls on the federal government to fully consult with state and local government about the implications of the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) negotiations for local government services and regulation
calls on the federal government to make public the specific requests it made to other governments in the GATS negotiations which were due on 30 June 2002
calls on the federal government to make public its specific responses to requests from other governments which are due on 30 March 2003
calls on the federal government to support the clear exclusion of public services from GATS, including local government community services and water services
calls on the federal government to oppose any proposals which would open up the funding of such public services to privatisation
calls on the federal government to oppose any proposals which would reduce the right of local government to regulate services, including the application of a least trade restrictive test to regulation
write to the Minister for Trade in support of the above
Mover: Composite / Local Government Association of New South Wales
National objective: To ensure that in any negotiations between national governments on general trade agreements, the interests of local government are protected.
Background: Changes to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) rules on regulation of services could mean that local councils could face complaints about their regulation through the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Governments can complain about laws or regulations of other governments to a panel of trade law experts. The winner can ask that the regulations or laws be changed and can ban or tax the exports of the loser. It is important in such an environment that the federal government understand local government's concerns relating particularly to supply of water services and to community services.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Three Sydney Councils have passed a resolution on GATS-----Marrickville, Waverly and Leichhardt .
Two Victorian Councils have passed the GATS resolution, and it is due to go to Yarra, Moreland and Port Philip soon.
The Alliance to Expose GATS (Qld) is hopeful that the resolution will go to Brisbane City Council very soon.
Would any readers of the bulletin be prepared to approach their local council with the resolution? After the National Local Government conference, local councils will be aware of the implications of GATS for local councils and hopefully will be receptive to passing a GATS resolution. Readers of the bulletin, country readers especially, should bear in mind that the GATS is likely to make National Competition Policy look like a Teddy Bears Picnic.
The draft resolution which can be moved at your local council is available on the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network's (AFTINET) website www.aftinet.org.au Or from me at gumbus@powerup.com.au
If anyone approaches their local council, could you please let WTO Watch Qld know at gumbus@powerup.com.au
-------------------------------------
Question on Notice: Trade: GATS Treaty
(Question No. 533)
Senator Brown asked the Minister representing the Minister for Trade, upon
notice, on 8 August 2002:
(1)What steps, if any, does the Government intend to take towards giving a
commitment: (a) to begin, without delay, a campaign of informing the
Australian public, in practical terms, about the implications of the General
Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) treaty; and (b) to maintain the public
dissemination of information as stages in the completion of GATS occur.
(2)(a) Is the Minister aware of the view that, while Australia is a
signatory to the GATS treaty the threat perceived as implicit to the
integrity and sovereignty of national Parliament is paramount; and (b) how
can the Government sustain its decision to continue its membership of GATS,
when foreign investors propose to sue the Government, through the World
Trade Organization, on the grounds of claims that government legislation or
regulations were `more burdensome that necessary', as stated on the
Australian Broadcasting Corporation's program, Background Briefing, on 23
June 2002.
(ED: Since this bulletin is only giving out good news, I will not include Senator Hill's response.).
=================================
b) The fight to Stop the Nuclear Irradiation Plant at Narangba and Food Irradiation!
The Story So Far ... Deception Castle and the Nuke-Free Knights
While Steritech Pty Ltd have been constructing their nuclear irradiation plant in Potassium St (Narangba, Brisbane) to irradiate our clean and pure food, the guardians of the nuclear-free protest camp across the road have been busy building Deception Castle - a 12 foot tall facade with towers and coloured flags as a sign of protection to citizens and the endangered bushland ecosystem in the Narangba Industrial Estate in Deception Bay.
A bridge leads to the gates of Deception Castle where a community is building art and creativity to stop the nuclear plant and food irradiation. Standing guard in front of Deception Castle, fighting for a nuclear-free future, are 8 foot tall robotic knights in shining stainless steel armour ... creations born from recycled metal salvaged from the local dump. These are the Nuke-Free Knights who provide an artistic, light-hearted and joyful picture in stark contrast to the cold and barren landscape of the nuclear plant construction site opposite.
Deception Castle Holidays
The Castle is open every day until late and offers free accommodation and food for a donation with many creative working bees for all to join in. To come and stay at the Castle, simply turn up with good cheer.
Directions To Deception Castle:
From Brisbane, take Boundary Rd exit left off Bruce Hwy (about 30 mins from Bris), turn left onto Boundary St, right into Old Gympie Rd at roundabout then right into Frawley Ave which runs into Potassium St. For a lift from the Narangba train station: Camp mobile: 0421 990 703 or 3888 5287
COMMUNITY PROTEST CAMP - VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Successfully holding the fort now for 4 months protestors continue their presence directly opposite
the facilities construction site. Established in June 2002, protestors initially occupied the actual
construction site prior to the installation of security fencing. These initial on-site actions
stopped work on numerous occasions with only a handful of dedicated people. Consequently support from the
public has increased with a permanent camp established. The Camp has been an integral part of
the campaign providing a local education centre, social gathering place (hosting the recent Grand
Festival) and continues to maintain a strong presence in opposition to the nuclear facility and the irradiation of food.
Stop Food Irradiation Alliance
====================================================
c) Police Rebel and Anti-Free Trade Protests in Quito End on Positive Note
Posted: November 01, 2002
http://www.foodfirst.org/progs/global/trade/quito2002/2002-11-01-update.php
U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick Put in Uncomfortable Position
Quito, November 1: The protests against the proposed Free Trade Area of the
Americas (FTAA) --and the police violence that rocked Quito during the day
yesterday--ended on a positive note for protesters in the evening, putting
the Bush Administration's negotiator, Mr. Robert Zoellick, in an
embarrassing and awkward position.
At about 3 PM yesterday, after the worst of the police violence against the
tens of thousands of indigenous people, farmers, students and other members
of civil society from the across the Americas had taken place, a police
platoon, including various officers, rebelled against their own government,
and joined with indigenous leaders and other protesters in demanding that
the trade ministers from 34 countries meeting to negotiate the FTAA agree to
receive a delegation from the protesters carrying a declaration of opposition to the FTAA.
According to sources, this news rocked a government that has seen two
previous presidents thrown out of office by the indigenous movement in
alliance with rebel security forces. At that point, the Ecuadorian
government sent in the army to relive the police, on the one hand, and on
the other, began to lean heavily on the trade ministers, and especially on
Mr. Zoellick, the U.S. Trade Representative, to accede to the protesters
demands.
As the popular movements re-grouped at Arbolito Park in the afternoon, the
government extracted a reluctant offer from the ministers to receive a
delegation composed of two representatives of the protesters. When the
indigenous leaders said no to the offer, the ministers came with an offer of ten.
When that was refusedthey said that 30 people could come, but that too was refused, as was an
offer of forty. The protesters finally accepted to send a delegation of 50
people, over the strenuous objections of Mr. Zoellick, to be accompanied by
the entire march up to the innermost security perimeter.
At about 6:30 the delegation passed the barricades, escorted by special
forces soldiers heavily armed with automatic weapons. Although the agreement
was for a delegation of fifty, in fact 65 protesters managed to get into the
Swiss Hotel where the historic meeting was to take place. The delegation
included the top leadership of Latin America's most powerful social
movements, including Iza and Chancoso from the CONIAE, Joao Pedro Stedile of
the Landless Workers' Movement (MST) of Brazil, Rafael Alegria of the
international farmers' movement, the Via Campesina, Juan Tiney of the Latin
American Coordination of Rural Movements (CLOC), and many others. Also
included were representatives of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who
work with these movements, like Peter Rosset of Food First and Nicola
Bullard of Focus on the Global South in Thailand.
The delegation entered the basement auditorium of the hotel at the same
instant as the 34 trade ministers, led by Mr. Zoellick. As the ministers sat
down across the room, facing the protesters, Peter Rosset stood up and
addressed Mr. Zoellick. "Excuse me," he said, "are you an American?" As Mr.
Zoellick turned to see who was addressing him personally, Peter Rosset
continued: "I am an American too, and I am ashamed at how you and the Bush
Administration are trying to force Latin American governments to sign a
trade agreement that will only bring them misery and poverty, and will bring
the same to the American people." As the protesters applauded and some of
the Latin American trade ministers smirked, Mr. Zoellick looked very sour,
at what was only the beginning of a very uncomfortable meeting for him. To
add insult to injury, that night the Ecuadorian TV news stations showed Mr.
Zoellick being told off by a fellow American in front of 33 fellow trade ministers.
The next treat for Mr. Zoellick was a speech by parliamentarians from 11
countries, ranging from Canada to Bolivia, in which they called on their
respective governments to "reject the FTAA and recall their negotiators at
once." While the speech was being read, three congress people actually stood
in front of Mr. Zoellick with placards reading "No al ALCA" (No to the FTAA).
A short time later, Mr. Iza, the president of the CONIAE, addressed the
ministers. He began by saying, "Señores, I wish to say to you, not to
offend, but only to speak the truth, that you cannot understand how the poor
live in the Americas, because you were born in golden cribs." He then went
one to humbly and movingly lay out exactly why the FTAA would mean "death to
the indigenous peoples' of the Americas."
This was followed by the powerful reading of protesters declaration, by
Nicaraguan farm worker leader Maria Elena Siquiera. She began by saying
"this is not a consultation or a dialog, this is a statement of implacable
opposition to the FTAA by all the peoples' of the Americas." The declaration
warned that "if you don't listen to our voices and those of millions more
across the continent, you will be responsible for putting the very future of
the Americas at risk." She concluded by shouting, "Yes to Life! No the FTAA!
Another America is Possible!!!"
At that point the ministers expected the delegation to stay for a photo
opportunity with them, so they could claim they had "dialoged" with the
protesters. But the protesters stood up with the final words of Ms. Siquiera
and walked out, leaving the ministers looking like idiots in front of the
dozens of news reporters filling the back of the room. Mr. Zoellick was not
to be spared his final indignities, either, as Mr. Rosset said to him, in a
voice that all could hear, "You know as well as I do that all opinion polls
show Americans want no more free trade agreements, and you should be ashamed
to go against the wishes of your own people."
Shouts of "shame on you!" came from the protesters. Even some journalists
yelled "sell out!" while others said that Mr. Zoellick should be ashamed he
doesn't speak Spanish. The whole meeting was translated for him via
earphones. A protester spoke to the Latin American ministers, saying "have
you no self-respect, that you accept the imposition of this guy who can't
even speak our language?" All the media cameras immediately zoomed over to
record the miserable expression on Mr. Zoellick's face, as several Latin
American ministers tried to hide their smiles and chuckles behind their fists.
"After today's Seattle-like protests," concluded Mr. Rosset, "the U.S.
government and the transnational corporations can never again claim that
opposition to free trade comes only from a small group of northern
environmentalists. It is abundantly clear that people from all walks of
life, across all of Latin America, do not want anything to do with the FTAA,
the World Trade Organization or any other manifestation of trade liberalization."
This morning the Ecuadorian papers reported on the protests and on the
meeting with the ministers. They also noted that this weeks negotiations on
agriculture within the FTAA had broken down over the Latin American
governments' perception that the recent U.S. Farm Bill, which ups subsidies
to corporate farmers, was a major breach of good faith. All in all, then,
this was a very good few days for opponents of corporate globalization and
trade liberalization.
==========================================================
d) More about Cochabamba and Water
(ED: Readers of the bulletin will be familiar with the story of how the citizens of Cochabamba threw out the multi national water companies who had been given the contract to run the water supply of Cochabamba, and who immediately increased the price of water three and even four fold.You will also be familiar with the fact that the water companies are suing the government of Cochabamba for 'lost profits'. However, before they could bring the case against the government, they had to set up a 'storefront' company in the Netherlands, because the Nehterlands has a financial treaty with Bolivia. The company providing the 'storefront' in the Netherlands is the ING group. You may have noticed their logo on the shirts of certain of our sportsmen recently?? Activists in Amsterdam are keeping the pressure on the ING group, and it might perhaps be a good idea if we did likewise. Why not drop them a line and tell them you know all about Cochabamba, that you disapprove, and ask what they are going to do about it? The address is ING Australia, 347 Kent St., GPO Box 3938, Sydney, NSW, 2001 Tel 61 2 9234 8111 Website www.ing.com.au )
From: kh@xminy.nl
To: kh@xminy.nl
Date sent: Fri, 27 Sep 2002 18:42:42 +0200
Subject: action at ING for role in Cochabamba watertheft
Send reply to: kh@xminy.nl
Action at inauguration of ING-HQ because of water Cochabamba
At the 16th of September we successfully disturbed the opening of the
new head office of ING-Group (the second bank in the Netherlands).
The crème de la crème of Dutch financial and political life came to
attend the opening of the spectacular building (see:
http://www.ing.com), including all the CEO's of ING, but had to drive
through an angry crowd denouncing ING's role in the privatisation of
the water of Cochabamba, Bolivia (and the subsequent claim of USD
25.000.000 because of the cancellation of the privatisation).
We were with at least 60 persons and many people had brought banners,
large pictures of the resistance in Cochabamba, and instruments of
mass disturbance (drums.).
Pictures of the protest can be found at:
http://www.noticias.nl/tunari/index2.html
The effect of this action was that every person attending the opening
(including prince Willem Alexander van Oranje Nassau) was confronted
with the scandalous role of ING. Many journalists asked the CEO's of
ING to comment on the case.
Two weeks before the opening a delegation of activists had a meeting
with directors of ING-trust. We went there to accompany Osvaldo
Pareja, who represented the platform Coordinadora por la Defensa del
Agua from Cochabamba. It was the first time ING-group conceded to meet
a representative. After talking for more than one hour the ING-
directors made clear that they were not prepared to seek for a
solution and did not want to cut the ties with IWH, the holding
containing Bechtel's possession in Aguas del Tunari, the 'owner' of
the privatised water in Cochabamba.
Actions against ING in the Netherlands will continue till they decide
to drop IWH. There is a special website with background information
about the case, partly in English:
http://www.xs4all.nl/~arenaria/water/
We would surely like to point at the fact that ING is a big
transnational bank that has offices all over the world where
activists could help us to build up pressure.
(Kees, XminY, Amsterdam; kh@xminy.nl)
=============================================
e) Philippines puts brakes on trade Liberalisation
International Trade Daily
Wednesday, September 25, 2002
Philippine President Puts Brakes On Trade Liberalization Initiatives
MANILA--Philippine President Gloria Arroyo, in a sudden shift of policy, has
ordered the immediate review of the country's liberalization commitments in
favor of stronger tariff walls and a slowdown to globalization, her spokesman
said Sept. 22. The move came a day after Arroyo met with members of an
anti-globalization group called Fair Trade Alliance (FTA), led by leftist ex-
senator Wigberto Tanada, to discuss ways in boosting local industries,
Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.
"What the president did shows she is sensitive to the needs of our
countrymen," Bunye told reporters. "The president said the time for unbridled
globalization is over. Her emphasis in the meeting calls for a review of existing tariffs."
Arroyo "will not be the president to turn off the lights in the factories. Your
president will fight for jobs and industries," Bunye said, stressing that many
sectors, including garments, pulp and paper, and footwear have been
negatively affected by "rapid implementation of tariff reductions" under World
Trade Organization and Asian Free Trade Area agreement (AFTA) commitments.
"We have to protect our local industries first and that is what the president
said."
By Jason Gutierrez
Copyright © 2002 by The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., Washington
===================================
f) Cochabamba activist donates prize money to the people
GENTE / COCHABAMBA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2002
125,000 dollars for becoming an "Advocate of Justice"
"Fundación Abril" created by Olivera with money from his award.
One year ago, Oscar Olivera was awarded 125,000 dollars by the U.S.-based
Goldman Prize, in recognition of his having become a "Advocate of Justice".
Few politicians gave credit to his words when the union activist stated at
that time that the award money would not be used for personal expenses, but
rather to finance the creation of a social interest organization based in
Cochabamba. Much to their surprise, the skeptics learned yesterday that
Olivera had kept his word and inaugurated the "Fundación Abril", an
organization that commemorates the people of Cochabamba that defended the
right to water and life.
GOALS
Olivera said that the main goal of the foundation will be to enable and
expand the development of proposals for economic democracy by grassroots
organizations and social movements: "We do this so that people will be
better able to participate in the use, management and exploitation of public
resources such as water, education, health, land, work and dignity," he said
in announcing the new foundation.
The leader also stated that this represented one of the main lessons
and victories of the water war, for which reason the foundation will promote
research, education, training and technical proposals geared toward
expanding the possibility of a greater social control and participation in
the management and exploitation of socially available resources.
OPINIÓN, SEPTEMBER 21, PAGE 9A
===============================================
g) 10 Million Brazilian Votes against Hemisphere's FTAA
by Mario Osava
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0918-07.htm
Saturday, September 28, 2002
Published on Wednesday, September 18, 2002
by Inter Press Service
RIO DE JANEIRO -- Nearly 10 million voters in Brazil have expressed their
rejection of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)
in an unofficial referendum organized by more than 60 organizations, the
results of which were announced in the capital Tuesday.
Approximately 98 percent of the 10.1 million people who responded to a
survey conducted Sep 1-7 in 3,894 municipalities throughout
Brazil gave a resounding ''no'' to the question: ''Should the Brazilian
government sign the FTAA treaty?''
Furthermore, 95 percent of the voters indicated that Brazil should not even
''continue participating in the FTAA negotiations,'' in response to the second question
put forth in what the organizers dubbed a ''people's plebiscite''.
© 2002 Inter Press Service
==========================================
h) Brazil Elects Lula in a Landslide
Nation's First Vote for Leftist Could Set Back Plan for Hemispheric Free Trade Zone
By Scott Wilson
Washington Post Foreign Service
Monday, October 28, 2002; Page A13
SAO PAULO, Brazil, Oct. 27 -- Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, a former union leader who never attended college, won a landslide victory today in a Brazilian presidential election that reflects the disenchantment sweeping much of Latin America after a decade of free-market reforms that have failed to deliver promised prosperity.
Lula's victory marks the first time a leftist has been elected president of Latin America's most populous country, and is the clearest demonstration to date of the growing backlash against globalization in this part of the world. His election could mean trouble for the economic reforms backed by the United States -- in particular, a hemisphere-wide free trade zone -- that represent the Bush administration's most important policy initiatives in Latin America.
While voting in this city's middle-class suburb of Sao Bernardo, Lula appeared to speak to the millions of Brazilians who have endorsed his pledge to move the world's eighth-largest economy away from the "Washington consensus" followed by his predecessor and toward what he has called a "new economic model" for this traditionally conservative country.
"I want to dedicate this election to the suffering poor of our beloved Brazil," Lula told hundreds of chanting, cheering supporters who had gathered at the polling place.
"The result of this election shows that from Jan. 1, we will be responsible for 170 million Brazilians, and we will have to govern with all of Brazilian society to build a more fair, more brotherly and more united country," Lula said in a victory speech tonight before hundreds of supporters in a downtown hotel and tens of thousands more gathered along Paulista Avenue, who watched on close-circuit television screens. "We are showing the international community a lesson in democracy."
======================================================
i) Oil Company Bows to Grass roots pressure
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/front/RTGAM/2002103
1/wxsuda1031/Front/homeBN/breakingnews Globe and Mail
By LILY NGUYEN
Thursday, October 31 - Online Edition, Posted at 2:06 AM EST
Calgary - Calgary oil company Talisman Energy Inc. has bowed to intense pressure from human rights activists
and agreed to sell its controversial stake in a Sudanese oil project.
Talisman chief executive officer Jim Buckee, long under fire for operating in a civil war zone and generating
hundreds of millions in revenue for a government accused of widespread human rights abuses,
said Wednesday the company could no longer support the pressure its
Sudan operations put on its resources and its share price.
Critics who have dogged the company for over three years, urging a boycott of its shares,
hailed the announcement as a triumph both for human rights and social activism.
Eric Reeves, a prominent activist, said in an interview: "We have here an extraordinary
example of grassroots activism forcing a Fortune 500 company to withdraw from an extremely lucrative venture,
because that venture is immoral.
In Canada, 23 agencies including the Canadian Labour Congress, Oxfam and World Vision joined together to oppose Talisman's
presence in the Sudan. Others, such as Amnesty International, were critical of the
presence, but stopped short of demanding it leave.
================================================================
j) New Orleans Water Privatization Bids Defeated
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Citizens won a landmark victory over corporate
greed today when the largest proposed municipal water privatization in
the nation was rejected by the New Orleans Water and Sewerage Board. The
vote's repercussions will ripple through the nation as consumer advocate
groups fight to keep water in the public trust, Public Citizen said.
"Corporations trying to privatize the nation's water supply were
counting on New Orleans to serve as a model and pave the way for other
privatization efforts from coast to coast," said Wenonah Hauter, director
of Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy and Environment Program. "But
after years of consideration, New Orleans citizens and officials
determined that the public's water should be kept in public hands."
Public Citizen, ACORN and the Service Employees International
Union (SEIU), Local 100, organized a coalition of 90 churches, civic
organizations, seniors groups and environmental groups that opposed
privatization. They defeated USFilter and United Water, subsidiaries of
French conglomerates Vivendi Universal and Suez, respectively, which
spent lavishly on public relations campaigns and lobbied hard as they
competed to secure a 20-year, billion-dollar contract to operate water
and sewer systems in New Orleans.
"The power of citizens'voices should never be disregarded when
they unite to fight against corporate influence," Hauter said. "The
people in New Orleans have spoken and have resoundingly said no to
privatization. We hope Vivendi and Suez are listening to those voices today."
Public Citizen is a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization based in
Washington, D.C.
US Water Network (us-water-network@iatp.org) Posted: 10/16/2002 By
sgrusky@citizen.org
============================================================
k) Nicaragua Passes National Law to Suspend Water Privatization!
Nicaragua has faced the privatization of its banks, telecommunications,
electricity plants and more. But, when the government, at the behest
of the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank, began to push for the
privatization of the major hydro-electric plants and the water utilities in
the country, the people of Nicaragua decided that enough is enough. In
August, the National Assembly unanimously passed a law to suspend private
profit-making in the use of water. President Bolanes of Nicaragua
promptly vetoed the bill, but civil society groups and many of the delegates in the
National Assembly are determined to override the veto. The Nicaraguan law
sets an important precedent across the Americas. The Water for All campaign
will be gathering letters of support for the Nicaraguan parliamentarians
from U.S.Congresspeople and other lawmakers. For more information
contact: sgrusky@citizen.org
==========================================
l) Mbeki on the spot
Privatisation brings Africans out on the streets
(Adapted from a report to from Durban by Karen McGregor, published in the
Toronto Globe and Mail, http://www.globeandmail.com/ -- search site for
Karen McGregor)
TENS of thousands of South Africans took to the streets as part of a two-day
anti-privatisation strike that is threatening to isolate the African National Congress.
Workers marched through the country's main cities, blowing whistles, singing
protest songs and carrying placards with messages such as Capitalism: A Sick
System. In Pretoria, more than 5000 people descended on the Reserve Bank,
and in Durban and Cape Town thousands marched on state buildings or
companies that face privatisation, such as telephone provider Telkom and
electricity utility Eskom.
Johannesburg's downtown streets were packed with 20,000 protesters, among
them many red-shirted members of the South African Communist Party and the
Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), which called for the
strike.
The government's privatisation plans are intended to streamline the
state-run economy inherited from the apartheid-era government and attract
foreign investment, but COSATU says the plan will only cause more poverty.
"We must defend the rights of the ordinary worker," union leader Materene
Wu-Mapemi told a crowd of thousands in Johannesburg. "If there is
privatisation, your rights will be taken away."
After years of resolving such feuds behind closed doors, President Thabo
Mbeki used a weekend ANC policy meeting to accuse COSATU and the Communists
of treating his party "as their enemy," and vowed to keep the ANC closer to
the ideological territory occupied by the current opposition.
================================================.
Terrie Templeton WTO Watch Qld gumbus@powerup.com.au