September 15, 1999 International Day of Action against the World Trade Organization

September 15, 1999

International Day of Action against the World Trade Organization (WTO) NO NEW ROUND - TURN AROUND!

Join tens of thousands of activists around the world in a day of action to oppose expansion of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The WTO is a powerful, undemocratic global commerce agency which imposes a regime of corporate managed trade. In its five years record, the WTO has consistently been used to attack national and local social and environmental safeguards. For example, the U.S. has already changed the Clean Air Act rules to comply with WTO demands.

Top negotiators from WTO's 135 member countries are meeting in Seattle, WA in late November 1999 to set the WTO's future agenda. Some of the most eager proponents of the WTO are calling for an ambitious new "Millennium Round" of negotiations including issues like a global free logging agreement and an MAI (Multilateral Agreement on Investment) in the WTO. On the agenda is also a further de-regulation of agriculture and services (including health services and education).

Enough is enough! In its five years of existence, the WTO has proved to be a disaster for democracy, workers and the environment. Rather than expand this flawed organization we need a turn-around!

On September 15, take action and let people know that you oppose any attempts to broaden the scope and power of the WTO. Here's what you can do:

* Call your Member of Congress and both Senators. Urge them to oppose the launch of a new round of WTO negotiations in Seattle that would expand the power of the WTO and to instead pressure the Clinton Administration to endorse an assessment of WTO's record to date so we can identify ways to change international trade and investment rules to promote fair trade and sustainable development. Call the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121 or toll-free at 1-888- 449-3511.

* Call the U.S. negotiators and tell them why they must oppose the "Millennium Round" proposal and why we must conduct an assessment of the WTO's performance to date. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is the agency in charge of the negotiations. Call USTR's Charlene Barshefsky at 202-395-6890 (fax: 202-395-4549). You should also call the White House's John Podesta at 202-456-1414, as well as vice-President Al Gore at 202-456-1111.

Get all your friends and neighbors to call as well!

Come to Seattle for the Ministerial (Nov. 29 through Dec. 3)! Activists from all around the world will gather in Seattle for teach-ins, street festivities, debates, cultural activities, protests and more! Check out http://www.seattlewto.net/ for more information on accommodation/schedule of events/other arrangements or call 1-877-STOP-WTO (786-7986).

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