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WTO Conference in Qatar

IMC UK | 12.11.2001 23:00 | WTO Qatar | Globalisation | World

Roundup of action protesting the WTO Conference in Doha, Qatar.

WTO CONFERENCE IN QATAR       9th-13th November 2001
WTO launches new round despite clear tensions

Two years after the "Battle of Seattle", the World Trade Organisation (WTO) held their big meeting in Qatar on 9-13 November. By retreating to an isolated Persian Gulf dictatorship the WTO hoped to shut out public participation and scrutiny, and to hide its neo-liberal agenda from the massive global opposition. However, protests took place against the WTO and the global economic system in cities and countries around the world. Read more.

After contentious and prolonged meetings threatened the viability of the World Trade Organization's new round of trade talks, delegates were presented with a declaration (.pdf) that they could vote only up or down. Entering the 7th day of what was meant to be a 5-day meeting, the declaration finally passed.

The pressure for a successful round following the Seattle, 1999 debacle has forced all sides to agree to terms they may not have otherwise. In the final agreement, the European Union reluctantly agreed to a concession that will "phase out" subsidies to farmers, while many delegates from developing nations argued that the cards are still unfairly stacked against them. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick celebrated, saying: "Today the members of the WTO have sent a powerful signal to the world. We have removed the stain of Seattle."

Developing nations did win a major victory regarding patenting laws (mp3). The new TRIPS Agreement (pdf), grants nations the right to produce generic medication in case of national health crises. Particularly in Africa, where the AIDS epidemic has spread to over 25% of the African population, this agreement marks a major victory. It will reduce the cost of AIDS medication from $10,000 per year, per person to a mere $250 per year, per person, causing a severe blow to pharmaceutical corporations.

However, activists and NGO representatives maintain that the undemocratic process (mp3) and underlying premise of the WTO continues to be a major obstacle in developing truly global and sustainable economic progress.


Worldwide protests against the WTO
Protest in Manila, Philippines "No New Round Radio" - a 24h Indymedia radio stream - was broadcasting background and the latest news on actions around the globe. People were able to call in and submit their reports.

Latest news (Wednesday 14th morning): Indymedia report from Doha
(Wednesday night): New round despite tensions

UK reports: Bangor | Newcastle | Newcastle2 | London 3rd Nov pics | London | Guildford | Guildford | Manchester | Manchester 2 | London 9th Nov | The Spun(spoof newspaper)

International reports: Dublin | Doha | Argentina | Barcelona 1 | Barcelona 2 (pics) | Frankfurt | Bolivia | India | Netherlands | Melbourne | South Africa | Sao Paulo | Palo Alto (California) | Bangkok | Washington DC | Iran | Indonesia | Christchurch NZ | Finland | Denmark 1 | Denmark 2 | Slovenia | Turkey/Thailand | Wellington NZ | Ontario CA | Montreal | New York | Italy | Italy2 | Berlin | Geneva, picture | Qatar | Global Trade Union Round-up | Greece 1 | Greece 2 | Brasil | Austria | Leiden | Buenos Aires | Rio de Janeiro | Korea | Bern | Massachusetts | Bilbao | Barbados | Bayonne, France | Dhaka City, Bangladesh | Finland | Paris | Quebec | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia | India 2 | Manila, Philippines | New York | Ottawa, and many more.

more reports at Indymedia.org | Infoshop N9 WTO Reports | WTO-Qatar Feature page | protest.net | PGA site

Counter-summits: Beirut | New York | Beriut report

Electronic Actions against WTO: electrohippies 2nd WTO Conference Action, Netsrike Virtual Sit In

"Diaries" from Doha
*** Sarah L. Wright: November 8
*** Anuradha Mittal of Food First: November 9 | November 10 | November 11

Analysis of draft declaration: Trade Unions | Trade Unions 2 | Africa | TRIPS and access to drugs | Analysis from India

Background on the WTO and Qatar: WTOWatch.org | Corporate Watch | gatt.org (spoof WTO site) | Oneworld Trade campaign | WTO's hidden agenda

WTO and the effect on the Global South: Ghana | India | New Delhi | Bolivia | Argentina

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