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Protests against trade talks
A Swiss farmer sounds off in Geneva |
Thousands of people have taken part in rallies in Paris and other French cities to protest against the World Trade Organisation and further moves towards a global economy.
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The rallies were taking place three days before an important ministerial meeting of the WTO in the American city of Seattle.
In Paris, demonstrators called on the WTO to put people before profits at its meeting, which will focus on trade liberalisation.
Defending the poor
Brandishing banners that said "The world is not for sale," marchers headed for the site of the Bastille.
As the march began, the newspaper Le Monde appeared on newsstands with a front-page article by WTO chief Mike Moore saying that the organisation would defend the interests of poor countries.
The poster reads "Disarm WTO" |
But protesters fear that the WTO will force France to import genetically modified food, and that major food exporters will force cuts in farmers' subsidies.
"What worries me, because I'm French, is that the WTO could say we can only have sterilised milk, then what will happen to French cheese?," said Johann Chemin, a 28-year-old computer programmer.
French Finance Minister Christian Sautter has said that, while Europe will push for a new round of trade liberalisation talks at the Seattle meeting, it will not go to any lengths.
 "We don't want to demonise money, but it must be used to promote humanity's happiness."  |
| Communist demonstrator |
"Europe has stated very clearly how it sees the next round of talks. Because that's what is at stake in Seattle: to set the agenda," he said.
Apple tree
In Geneva, about 3,000 people joined a demonstration in front of the WTO headquarters.
Farmers led the protest outside WTO headquarters |
The demonstrators were demanding that ethnic, cultural, social and environmental aspects should be taken into account in the negotiations.
They also wanted the talks to be devoted to assessing the first five years of the WTO's existence.
Disagreements on agenda
WTO representatives this week failed to agree a draft agenda for the meeting after deep differences emerged between member countries over what topics should and should not be covered.
The EU wants a comprehensive round of trade negotiations, including agriculture, services, tariffs on industrial goods, environmental issues, investment and competition rules.
But it has met heavy resistance from other WTO members.
The Australian-led Cairns group of major food exporters want the new talks to focus on EU farm subsidies.
Developing countries, for their part, are resisting attempts by the EU and the United States to put minimum labour standards on the agenda.
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See also: |
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23 Nov 99 | Battle for Free Trade |
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WTO talks falter |
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15 Nov 99 | The Economy |
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WTO hails China deal |
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03 May 99 | The Economy |
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WTO: Policing world trade |
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19 May 99 | The Economy |
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World trade wars |
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26 Nov 99 | UK |
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Online activists plan global protest |
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