Below is a Press Release with regards a Welsh Statement on a new round of the World Trade Organisation. Please feel free to use or forward to press contacts, relevant individuals and groups. Thanks for your help.
 
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Press Release: 14th December, 2000
 
A Welsh Statement on New WTO Round is issued to coincide with the 1st Anniversary of the 'Battle of Seattle' AND the Department for International Development's White Paper on Globalisation & Development.    

ONE YEAR AFTER SEATTLE: WELSH NGOS, DEVELOPMENT AGENCIES, COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY GROUPS ARE BEING ENCOURAGED TO CALL ON THE UK GOVERNMENT TO REJECT LAUNCHING OF NEW WTO ROUND.


It has been one year since the 3rd Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) collapsed in Seattle. In 1999 the developed countries wanted to launch a “New Round” of trade talks.  Their attempts in Seattle failed because many developing countries felt this would be against their interest. In addition thousands of Non-Governmental Organisations worldwide expressed their serious concerns on the many problems caused by the WTO. Over 50,000 'global citizens' gathered on the streets of Seattle - high profile public actions brought together environmentalists, trade unionists, farmers, academics, people of faith, students and direct action activists. The police responded to street demonstrations with tear gas, pepper spray, heavy batons and rubber bullets. 

Now 1 year after Seattle developed countries are again applying great pressure on all countries to launch a New Round in 2001. However in Wales Non-Governmental Organisations, development agencies, voluntary groups, and community groups now have the opportunity to endorse a statement that calls on the UK Government to resist and reject the pressures for such a New Round in 2001. 
 
David McKnight, an environmental and social justice activist from Flintshire, was at the 'Battle of Seattle'. He says: 
"The Spirit of Seattle lives on in Wales because the WTO remains such an unjust and undemocratic institution. Its policies are detrimental to developing countries, local communities, the poor and the environment. We hope that the Government will act in the interest of social and environmental justice by rejecting a New Round in the WTO and working towards the creation of a fair and sustainable international trading system."
 
In the Welsh Statement it is argued that there are necessary and progressive alternatives to the launch of a New Trade Round. In particular the statement reads: "Instead (of calling for a New WTO Round) the government should work together with developing countries to insist that the WTO concentrate on reviewing and reforming its existing Agreements and its non-democratic processes of decision-making." 
 
The statement has been compiled on the 1st Anniversary of Seattle. It also coincides with Clare Short and DFID's White Paper on Globalisation. Organisations interested in reading and/or signing the statement should ask for a copy by emailing: [log in to unmask]

This Welsh Statement has also been released to help highlight the misgivings of the UK Government, in particular certain views expressed in its White Paper on Globalisation and Development. That document shows that the Department for International Developoment and Clare Short believe that a comprehensive round of global trade talks, covering issues like investment, competition and government procurement, is in the best interests of developing countries. 

Ged Turner, a community worker and CAFOD-supporter from Flintshire, was in Seattle. He says: 
"With regards the WTO, Clare Short's White Paper is totally off the mark. A New WTO Round will be a disaster. New Issues will force developing countries to come under the domination of big foreign firms at the expense of local farms, local markets, jobs and consumer welfare. Open markets are not always and everywhere the best solution. WTO-influenced policies of privatisation, deregulation and market liberalisation are not the solution to poverty - they exacerbate inequality. The WTO and 'Free Trade' increase the gap between the rich and the poor."
 
For further details of this initiative in Wales email  [log in to unmask] or phone 07803 768933


NOTES:
 
1. A copy of the Welsh statement can be obtained by emailing: [log in to unmask]

2. The signed statement will be sent out to members of the UK Government as a Memorandum (i.e. to Welsh MP's, to Stephen Byers and to Clare Short).

2. The Welsh statement is based on an original statement issued by 14 Malaysian NGOs that was sent to their own government (c/o Martin Khor, Third World Network [log in to unmask]). Martin Khor, Director of Third World Network has kindly agreed for the original Malaysian statement to be adapted to a Welsh context. 
 
3. The original Malaysian statement was endorsed by NGOs that include some of the leading consumer, environmental and youth organisations in the country, as well as the Bar Council (representing lawyers), and some other associations of fisherfolk, estate settlers and religious organisations. These are:

- Consumers' Association of Penang
- Sahabat Alam Malaysia
- Center of Peace (CENPEACE)
- Bar Council Malaysia
- Malaysian Sociological Research Institute (MSRI)
- Persatuan Wartawan Melayu Malaysia (PWM)  (Association of Malay Journalists)
- Persatuan Ulama Negeri Kedah (PUK)  (Association of Ulamas, Kedah State)
- Majlis Belia Malaysia (MBM) (National Youth Council of Malaysia)
- Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) (Islamic Youth Movement Malaysia)
- Teras Pengupayaan Melayu (TERAS)
- Persatuan Bidan Wilayah Utara (PBWU)  (Regional Association of Traditional Midwives)
- Environmental Protection Society Malaysia (EPSM)
- Penang Inshore Fishermen's  Welfare Association (PIFWA)
- Persatuan Pengusaha Pertanian Kecil Felda Chini (CISNET)  


4. The Year 2001 will see a plethora of 'trade justice' campaigns in Wales and the UK. These campaigns will gain strength ahead of the UK General Election and also in the run up to the next WTO Ministerial meeting. For a summary of some of these campaigns email [log in to unmask]
 
5. On Saturday 10th February (9am-5.15pm) there will be speakers, workshops and a public forum that focus on globalisation. "Wales & the World: Conference for Global Justice" will be held in Bangor, Gwynedd. This conference is organised by Cynefin y Werin (Common Ground), the All-Wales Network for international peace, social justice, equality and human rights. Further details from [log in to unmask] or tel. 01286 882359.