Doug Henwood wrote:
>
> Excerpt from a speech by WTO boss Mike Moore
> <http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/spmm_e/spmm67_e.htm>:
>
> Our owners jealously defend their rights and prerogatives. Even
> having these symposia is controversial and not universally supported.
> Let me share why. Many Ministers and Ambassadors say it is not the
> job of the WTO to embrace NGOs and civil society. They say that
> should be done at the national level in the formation of national
> policy positions. They are correct but only 90% correct.
>
> Now, because I have been so polite and have given you a message of
> welcome, may I ask for your assistance. Nothing upsets our owners
> more than the mindless, undemocratic enemies of the open society who
> have as a stated aim the prevention of Ministers and our leaders from
> even meeting. Imagine the attitude of the Minister from South Africa
> who was imprisoned during South Africa's struggle for freedom when
> faced with this attitude in the streets of Seattle. Or the Swedish
> Minister who wanted to focus on issues of sustainable development,
> Aids and how to extend freedoms we take for granted across a wider
> Europe, yet had his leader's conference attacked.
>
> It would strengthen the hand of those who seek change if NGOs
> distance themselves from masked stone-throwers who claim to want more
> transparency, anti-globalization dot.com-types who trot out slogans
> that are trite, shallow and superficial. This will not do as a
> substitute for civilized discourse.
>
> Who is to blame? There is enough blame for all of us to share.
> Perhaps we could consider new principles of engagement. A debate
> should be held and understandings reached between civil society, the
> international institutions and Governments for a code of conduct that
> could include:
>
> * The rejection of violence
> * Transparency from NGOs as to their membership, their finances,
> their rules of decision-making
> * Governments, business and foundations should insist on rules of
> transparency and adhere to an agreed code, before they provide
> funding.
>
> Governments and their institutions should, in return, give those who
> follow such rules a stake in the process. And we need to accept that
> there is a fundamental difference between transparency and
> participation on the one hand and negotiations on the other which in
> the end only Governments can do.
--
Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University Chico, CA 95929
Tel. 530-898-5321 E-Mail michael at ecst.csuchico.edu