PGHIMC - Pittsburgh Independent Media Center

WTO talks Collapse!
by david Sunday, Sep. 14, 2003 at 9:04 PM
david@heartofdarkness.org

for Pittsburgh Indymedia: The WTO talks collapse and Cancun is described as a failure.

Most of the corporate media attribute the collapse to disagreement over farm reform -- but the bottom line is that the south refused to be bullied by the US and the EU.

some quotes from the corp. media:

"The anti-globalization protesters have their wish. The World Trade Organization conference in the Mexican resort of Canc�n fell apart chaotically Sunday afternoon. It is not what the United States and Europe wanted."
http://www.upi.com/print.cfm?StoryID=20030914-100019-4758r

"We don't have to beat about the bush. Cancun has failed"
(Pascal Lamy, EU Trade Commissioner)
http://moneycentral.msn.com/inc/news/breakingredir.asp?feed=OBR&Date=20030915&ID=2864499

"It was the biggest defeat for trade liberalization since a chaotic meeting in Seattle in 1999 was rocked by violent street protests and a similar revolt by poor countries."
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/abs_news_body.asp?section=Business&oid=33321

"The blame for the collapse must go to the Western countries, because they insisted on putting their issues first," said Yasphal Tondon, a delegate from Uganda.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/Articles.asp?Article=61571&Sn=BUSI

"As news of the collase spread through the fortress-like conference venue, several activists accredited to the gathering sang in the lobby, celebrating what they saw as a victory for poor countries. "Rich countries over-played their hand and misjudged the strength of feeling and unity of the developing world who want to make trade fair and have a stake in global prosperity," the Oxfam international relief agency said. "
http://www.bday.co.za/bday/content/direct/1,3523,1432658-6078-0,00.html

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also
by david Sunday, Sep. 14, 2003 at 9:10 PM

see feature on http://www.indymedia.org
see cancun imc report
http://cancun.mediosindependientes.org/feature/display/758/index.php

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it worked
by fred freedom Monday, Sep. 15, 2003 at 8:56 AM

Your anti-WTO actions worked!

The US and the EU have refused to drop their agricultural subsidies and export supports as developing countries demanded.

There will be no free trade in agriculture!

There will be no exports of agricultural products from developing countries, since the US and EU supports keep them out of the market.

People in developing countries will now (continue to) starve, thanks guys!

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You should study Jamaica n' Argentina
by wheatpaster Monday, Sep. 15, 2003 at 4:29 PM

Jamaica and Argentina followed the WTO/ IMF plans to the letter. Jamaica's debt has quantified since the 70s, Argentinas entire economy collapsed. Now the other "poor countries" will not be "blackmailed" by the "rich countries" (to quote CNN). Can you blame them? Really, I don't know how you even attempt to justify the (never-democratically appointed) U.S. corporation's positions on the WTO... not even CNN has your back.

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s13
by ... Monday, Sep. 15, 2003 at 5:53 PM

so what happened with the s13 event in pittsburgh? i havent seen anything about it.

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Check out the film
by wheatpaster Tuesday, Sep. 16, 2003 at 2:11 PM

No article or still photos yet, hopefully they will be posted in time. Anyone who attended want to post your pics or observations?

The film posted to indypgh rocks:

http://www.indypgh.org/news/2003/09/8851.php

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