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What's After CAFTA? AFTA.
=20
Much like CAFTA, the Andean Free Trade Agreement (AFTA) continues the =
race to the basement on trade. Negotiating parties include the United =
States, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Bolivia, currently participating as =
an observer, is also expected to join. Negotiations to complete AFTA =
should be finished in November, and the deal could be brought before =
Congress as early as February. =20
The audacity of AFTA is the Administration's eagerness to negotiate a =
free trade agreement with Colombia -- the country that currently leads =
the Western hemisphere in re****ted human rights and international =
humanitarian law violations (Human Rights Watch, January 2004). Just =
under 200 unionists were killed last year alone in Colombia, making it =
the most dangerous country in the world for unionists. For more on AFTA =
labor abuses, click here.
=20
There is no good reason why a member of Congress who opposed CAFTA =
should turn around and sup****t AFTA. The rules being negotiated are the =
same as those in CAFTA, and in some cases, worse.
=20
Take Action on AFTA
=20
Unless we stop the flawed approach of AFTA, NAFTA and CAFTA, we will =
continue to outsource Wisconsin jobs, offshore Wisconsin businesses, =
destroy the environment, and hurt working people. Wisconsin businesses =
can compete with anybody on the planet if we have a level playing field, =
but we cannot compete when AFTA allows other countries to be free from =
basic labor rights or environmental protections.
=20
Negotiations on AFTA are going on right now, and it is a crucial time =
for members of Congress to hear from constituents. Contact your member =
toll free at 866-340-9281, and ask him or her to publicly oppose AFTA =
unless it includes core labor standards and environmental protection =
provisions.
=20
Script:
Hello, my name is _______ and I live in the district. I'm calling to ask =
Representative _______ to oppose the Andean Free Trade Agreement, also =
known as AFTA. If you opposed CAFTA, then you should also oppose AFTA. =
It has the same problems, the same language, and continues the same race =
to the basement. Please contact the Administration and tell them you =
won't sup****t AFTA unless they add core environmental and labor =
standards to these trade agreements. Can I ask you: Will the =
Representative publicly come out and oppose AFTA unless it includes core =
labor and environmental provisions?=20
=20
My address is __________ and I'm hoping you can send me a response. =
Thank you.
=20
When You Call:
=20
a.. Ask to speak to the Trade LA, chief of staff or legislative =
director.=20
b.. Tell them you are a constituent and want to know your =
Representative's position on AFTA. Give your address, and ask for a =
response.=20
c.. Ask the staff person to send concerns to the administration.=20
d.. If the Rep is opposed to the agreement and will vote against it, =
thank him/her. =20
e.. If the Rep is for AFTA, urge reconsideration. Inform the office =
that you intend to spread the word that he is voting for the policy of =
outsourcing.=20
=20
The Bad and the Ugly
=20
The Bad: All that Glitters is Not Glamis Gold
Environmental groups are fighting a controversial NAFTA suit brought =
against the United States by Glamis Gold, a gold mining company with =
incor****ated status in British Columbia and an actual cor****ate =
headquarters in Reno, Nevada. Glamis has sought to operate an open-pit =
gold mine in California using cyanide-heap leaching technology. =20
=20
While Glamis is incor****ated in Canada, it has no operations, or =
offices, in that country. The company filed its NAFTA suit in 2003 =
after California took legislative action requiring clean-up operations =
that the company claims would make its planned mine in southeastern =
California "uneconomic." =20
=20
According to Graham Saul at Friends of the Earth Canada, "Although there =
are more mining companies incor****ated in Canada than in any other =
country in the world, many of these companies don't have mining =
operations in Canada. Their physical presence consists of little more =
than a post office box at their lawyer's office in Vancouver. Mining =
companies shouldn't be allowed to wrap themselves in the Canadian flag =
for the purposes of undermining environmental policy."=20
=20
a.. Read the policy brief on the Glamis case (PDF, 138KB)=20
b.. Take action against Glamis Gold by clicking here.=20
c.. To view the Amicus Submission from Friends of the Earth click =
here.
=20
The Ugly: Administration Takes Step Back on Labor Standards pushed by =
Puru
According to the National Journal, Democrats were given a boost when =
Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, on a visit to Wa****ngton to tout =
AFTA, appeared to endorse labor rights. He said in meetings with members =
of Congress and the business community that his nation would abide by =
International Labor Organization core labor standards if they were =
within the text of the trade agreement. But sources said Toledo's =
position was not acceptable to Republicans in America.
=20
House Ways and Means Chairman Thomas quickly made known to Toledo that =
he disagreed with his comments. And the Bush administration is unlikely =
to accept language that enshrines ILO principles in the text of a trade =
agreement, on the grounds that to do so would expose the United States =
to more scrutiny.
=20
Toledo's comments were particularly significant because during =
consideration of CAFTA, Democrats made repeated claims that CAFTA =
countries, if asked, would have agreed to include language on ILO core =
labor standards. But the Democrats could not back up that claim with =
public statements by Central American officials.
=20
Thea Lee, an AFL-CIO lobbyist, said the record of violence against trade =
unionists in the Andean region -- and particularly in Colombia -- made =
it im****tant that labor protections in the Andean pact be stronger than =
those in CAFTA.
=20
Trade News You Can Use
=20
House Democrats Wary Of AFTA Trade Pact=20
Rep. Sander Levin (MI) said he was discouraged by the administration's =
failure to back tougher labor standards in the Andean pact (AFTA) after =
Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo voiced his sup****t for them. "The =
Peruvian president said right off the bat that it was im****tant for =
workers to have their rights . It was clear as day. There's this basic =
issue that has to be worked out and yet they haven't," said Levin, who =
holds substantial sway in the Democratic caucus on trade issues.
=20
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<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20
href=3D"http://www.citizenstrade.org/andeannews.php"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>What=92s After CAFTA?<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN>AFTA.</FONT></SPAN></B></A><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=3D"Times =
New Roman"=20
size=3D3>Much like CAFTA, the </FONT><A=20
href=3D"http://www.citizenstrade.org/aftaoverview.php"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Andean Free Trade=20
Agreement</FONT></SPAN></B></A><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3> =
(AFTA)=20
continues the race to the basement on trade. Negotiating parties include =
the=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>United =
States</st1:place></st1:country-region>,=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Colombia</st1:place></st1:country-region>,=
=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Ecuador</st1:place></st1:country-region> =
and=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Peru</st1:place></st1:country-region>.=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Bolivia</st1:place></st1:country-region>, =
currently participating as an observer, is also expected to join.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Negotiations to complete AFTA =
should be=20
finished in November, and the deal could be brought before Congress as =
early as=20
February.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><BR><BR>The =
audacity of=20
AFTA is the Administration=92s eagerness to negotiate a free trade =
agreement with=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Colombia</st1:place></st1:country-region> =
-- the=20
country that currently leads the Western hemisphere in re****ted human =
rights and=20
international humanitarian law violations <I=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-style: normal">(Human Rights Watch, January =
2004). </I>Just=20
under 200 unionists were killed last year alone in=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Colombia</st1:place></st1:country-region>,=
making=20
it the most dangerous country in the world for unionists. </FONT><A=20
href=3D"http://www.citizenstrade.org/aftalabor.php"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">For more on AFTA labor abuses, =
click=20
here.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></A></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">There =
is no good=20
reason why a member of Congress who opposed CAFTA should turn =
around and=20
sup****t AFTA. The rules being negotiated are the same as those in CAFTA, =
and in=20
some cases, worse.</B><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
maroon"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Take Action on=20
AFTA<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Unless we stop the flawed approach of AFTA, =
NAFTA and=20
CAFTA, we will continue to outsource <st1:place>Wisconsin</st1:place> =
jobs,=20
offshore Wisconsin businesses, destroy the environment, and hurt working =
people.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN><st1:place>Wisconsin</st1:place> businesses can compete with =
anybody on=20
the planet if we have a level playing field, but we cannot compete when =
AFTA=20
allows other countries to be free from basic labor rights or =
environmental=20
protections.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Negotiations on AFTA are going on right now, =
and it is a=20
crucial time for members of Congress to hear from constituents.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Contact your member toll free at=20
866-340-9281, and ask him or her to publicly oppose AFTA unless it =
includes core=20
labor standards and environmental protection=20
provisions.</B><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
maroon"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Script:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><BR><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Hello, my name is _______ and I live in the =
district. I'm=20
calling to ask Representative _______ to oppose the <B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><A=20
href=3D"http://www.citizenstrade.org/aftaoverview.php"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; =
mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'">Andean=20
Free Trade Agreement</SPAN></A>,</B> also known as AFTA. <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you opposed CAFTA, then you =
should=20
also oppose AFTA.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It has =
the same=20
problems, the same language, and continues the same race to the =
basement.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Please contact the =
Administration and=20
tell them you won=92t sup****t AFTA unless they add core environmental =
and labor=20
standards to these trade agreements.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>Can I ask you:<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =
</SPAN>Will the=20
Representative publicly come out and oppose AFTA unless it includes core =
labor=20
and environmental provisions? <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">My address is __________ and I=92m hoping you =
can send me a=20
response.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thank=20
you.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
maroon"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">When You=20
Call:<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Dcircle>
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: =
list .5in"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Ask to speak to the Trade LA, =
chief of=20
staff or legislative director.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT>=20
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: =
list .5in"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Tell them you are a =
constituent and want=20
to know your Representative=92s position on AFTA.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Give your address, and ask =
for a=20
response.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT>=20
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: =
list .5in"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Ask the staff person to send =
concerns to=20
the administration.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT>=20
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: =
list .5in"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">If the Rep is opposed to the =
agreement and=20
will vote against it, thank him/her. <SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT>=20
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: =
list .5in"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">If the Rep is for AFTA, urge=20
reconsideration. Inform the office that you intend to spread the word =
that he=20
is voting for the policy of outsourcing. =
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
maroon"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The Bad and the=20
Ugly<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: maroon">The =
Bad:</SPAN><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT><A=20
href=3D"http://www.foe.org/camps/intl/greentrade/glamis.pdf"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; =
mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>All that Glitters is Not Glamis=20
Gold</FONT></SPAN></A><o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT face=3D"Times =
New Roman"=20
size=3D3>Environmental groups are fighting a controversial NAFTA suit =
brought=20
against the <st1:country-region><st1:place>United=20
States</st1:place></st1:country-region> by </FONT><A=20
href=3D"http://www.glamis.com/"><B
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Glamis Gold</FONT></SPAN></B></A><FONT =
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">, a gold mining company with =
incor****ated=20
status in <st1:State><st1:place>British Columbia</st1:place></st1:State> =
and an=20
actual cor****ate headquarters in <st1:place><st1:City>Reno</st1:City>,=20
<st1:State>Nevada</st1:State></st1:place>.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: =
yes"> =20
</SPAN>Glamis has sought to operate an open-pit gold mine in=20
<st1:State><st1:place>California</st1:place></st1:State> using =
cyanide-heap=20
leaching technology.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">While Glamis is incor****ated in=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>, =
it has=20
no operations, or offices, in that country.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The company filed its NAFTA =
suit in 2003=20
after California took legislative action requiring clean-up operations =
that the=20
company claims would make its planned mine in southeastern California=20
"uneconomic."<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> =20
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">According to Graham Saul at Friends of the =
Earth Canada,=20
"Although there are more mining companies incor****ated in=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region> =
than in=20
any other country in the world, many of these companies don't have =
mining=20
operations in=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Canada</st1:place></st1:country-region>. =
Their=20
physical presence consists of little more than a post office box at =
their=20
lawyer's office in =
<st1:City><st1:place>Vancouver</st1:place></st1:City>. Mining=20
companies shouldn't be allowed to wrap themselves in the Canadian flag =
for the=20
purposes of undermining environmental policy." =
<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<UL style=3D"MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=3Dcircle>
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: =
list .5in"><A=20
href=3D"http://www.oxfamamerica.org/pdfs/glamis_en.pdf"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Trebuchet MS" color=3D#ff6600 size=3D3>Read the policy brief =
on the Glamis=20
case (PDF, 138KB)</FONT></SPAN></B></A><o:p></o:p>=20
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: =
list .5in"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Take action against Glamis Gold by =
</FONT><A=20
href=3D"http://actionnetwork.org/campaign/marlin"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>clicking =
here.</FONT></SPAN></B></A><o:p></o:p>=20
<LI class=3DMsoNormal=20
style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: =
list .5in"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>To view the Amicus Submission from =
Friends of=20
the Earth </FONT><A =
href=3D"http://foecanada.org/Amicus_Submission.pdf"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>click=20
here.</FONT></SPAN></B></A><o:p></o:p></LI></UL>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
maroon"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">The Ugly:<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN><A=20
href=3D"http://nationaljournal.com/"><SPAN=20
style=3D"FONT-WEIGHT: normal; mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; =
mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times =
New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>Administration Takes Step Back on =
Labor Standards=20
pushed by Puru</FONT></SPAN></A><o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">According to the National Journal, Democrats =
were given a=20
boost when Peruvian President Alejandro Toledo, on a visit to=20
<st1:State><st1:place>Wa****ngton</st1:place></st1:State> to tout AFTA, =
appeared=20
to endorse labor rights. He said in meetings with members of Congress =
and the=20
business community that his nation would abide by International Labor=20
Organization core labor standards if they were within the text of the =
trade=20
agreement. But sources said =
<st1:City><st1:place>Toledo</st1:place></st1:City>=92s=20
position was not acceptable to Republicans in=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>America</st1:place></st1:country-region>.<=
o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p><FONT face=3D"Times New =
Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"><B style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">House =
Ways and=20
Means Chairman Thomas quickly made known to </B><st1:City><st1:place><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: =
normal">Toledo</B></st1:place></st1:City><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> that he disagreed with his =
comments.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And the Bush administration is =
unlikely=20
to accept language that enshrines ILO principles in the text of a trade=20
agreement, on the grounds that to do so would expose the=20
</B><st1:country-region><st1:place><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">United=20
States</B></st1:place></st1:country-region><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> to more=20
scrutiny.<o:p></o:p></B></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New =
Roman"><st1:City><st1:place>Toledo</st1:place></st1:City>'s=20
comments were particularly significant because during consideration of =
CAFTA,=20
Democrats made repeated claims that CAFTA countries, if asked, would =
have agreed=20
to include language on ILO core labor standards.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But the Democrats could not =
back up that=20
claim with public statements by Central American=20
officials.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman">Thea Lee, an AFL-CIO lobbyist, said the record =
of=20
violence against trade unionists in the Andean region -- and =
particularly in=20
<st1:country-region><st1:place>Colombia</st1:place></st1:country-region> =
-- made=20
it im****tant that labor protections in the Andean pact be stronger than =
those in=20
CAFTA.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style=3D"COLOR: =
maroon"><FONT=20
size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman">Trade News You Can=20
Use<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><FONT size=3D3><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman"> <o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><A=20
href=3D"http://www.thehill.com/thehill/ex****t/TheHill/News/Frontpage/1006=
05/demsbrief.html"><B=20
style=3D"mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-ansi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: 'Times New =
Roman'; mso-hansi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'"><FONT=20
face=3D"Times New Roman" size=3D3>House Democrats Wary Of AFTA Trade=20
Pact</FONT></SPAN></B></A><FONT size=3D3><FONT face=3D"Times New Roman"> =
<BR>Rep.=20
Sander Levin (MI) said he was discouraged by the administration=92s =
failure to=20
back tougher labor standards in the Andean pact (AFTA) after Peruvian =
President=20
Alejandro Toledo voiced his sup****t for them.<SPAN=20
style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>=93The Peruvian president said =
right off=20
the bat that it was im****tant for workers to have their rights =85 It =
was clear as=20
day.<SPAN style=3D"mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There=92s this basic =
issue that=20
has to be worked out and yet they haven=92t,=94 said Levin, who holds =
substantial=20
sway in the Democratic caucus on trade =
issues.<o:p></o:p></FONT></FONT></P>
<P class=3DMsoNormal style=3D"MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p><FONT =
face=3D"Times New Roman"=20
size=3D3> </FONT></o:p></P></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
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