The demand to get out of the WTO is an utterly uninformed and dangerous one.
It's a collective - multilateral, forum - that too giving a veto power, to every single member. It places the weaker ones at way lesser disadvantage as compared to any bilateral dealing with a stronger one. Two examples are very instructive. One, Cuba is shouting and screaming (unsuccessfuy) for ages to get trade relations with the US restored. Shows up the absolute imperative of global trade for a nation in the industrialised era. (China and Russia could get into the WTO after struggling for too long.) Two, General Assembly of the UN passed a resolution recognising the Palestinian state - in the teeth of strong American opposition. Shows up the utility of a multilateral forum for the weaker ones. (Even in Glasgow, India duly backed up by China could successfully sabotage the fight against ecocidal coal.) *To summarise*: The essential points are just two and rather straightforward. I. One can't do without trade - even if unequal and unfair. No trade is far worse, virtually suicide. (To illustrate, simple "steel" - a very basic stuff, requires just not iron ore and coal - but also various other minerals, linked to the intended uses. All these would rarely be available within the boundaries of a particular state. As one goes up further the production chain, the requirements grow far diverse. That's how and why the US and China remain major trade partners.) II. When a weak one is to deal with a (far) stronger one, a multilateral platform is way better than a bilateral dealing. (A global treaty is advantageous to the stronger ones as well - as it hugely cuts down the hassles of individual deals and makes life way smoother and simpler.) *Addendum* Anti-WTO noises - couched in the jargons of anti-imperialism and all that, by the farmers (of the under/less developed world) actually cloaks an internal conflict. The pact on agricultural trade is not a stand-alone one. It comes bundled with some other pacts by virtue of which the lesser ones get to access the markets of the richer ones with some other (usually low-end industrial) products. So, here, a (lesser) state strikes a trade-off between the competing interests of various domestic sections: one is benefited at the cost of another. ____ [In the meanwhile, the Union Agriculture Minister has announced conceding yet another demand of the agitating farmers. The farmers have, in turn, withdrawn the programme of tractor march to the Sansad Bhavan on November 29th.] <https://www.facebook.com/100027945363095/posts/930922084515962/> An year of Delhi Morcha: huge rally by BKU (EktaUgrahan) at Tikri Border; Struggle to continue for remaining demands in victorious spirit New Delhi, November 26 BKU (EktaUgrahan) marked the annual anniversary of Delhi Morcha at Pakaura Chowk, New Delhi with a huge historic public rally. After the announcement of repeal of farm laws participants from Punjab, Haryana and sections of society supporting the agitation celebrated the victory and resolved to continue the struggle for the remaining demands. Men and women activists participated in the rally in very large numbers. The rally started with a tribute to more than 700 martyrs who sacrificed their lives during the struggle. State committee of the organisation saluted the martyrs memorial temporarily established in the rally ground. Participants joined the tribute standing silently for two minutes as revolutionary poet Sant Ram Udasi’s anthem of martyrs ‘chadhan waleoo haqaan di bhet utteh’ (o people who sacrificed their lives for rights) was played from the stage. While addressing the rally Joginder Singh Ugrahan, president of BKU (EktaUgrahan) declared that getting the farm laws repealed is a historic victory which has been made possible by the unity of farmers & farm labourers from across the country and global solidarity. He reminded that demands like procurement of agriculture produce of all crops at remunerative MSP and universal PDS are still unfulfilled. The government is maintaining silence about these demands. He said that decision about the future course of the agitation will be taken after formal repeal of laws by the parliament and acceptance of other demands. He stated that farmers will continue to occupy the protest sites. He appealed that unity achieved through this struggle needs to be strengthened further so that a cross country movement be built to achieve pro-peasant solution of the agrarian crisis. Sukhdev Singh Kokri, General Secretary of the organisation stated that demand like procurement on MSP and PDS are unaddressed as Indian state is committed to implement policies of WTO. The farm laws were part of these policies so the real solution lies in India getting out WTO agreements. He added that the organisation will protest against WTO’s meeting from November 29 to December 3 in Geneva that India should come out of it. Effigies of WTO will be burnt at protest sites in Delhi and Punjab. Jhanda Singh Jethuke, senior Vice President and Shingara Singh Mann stated that this struggle has manifested the value of unity to get heard. They warned that if farmers became less vigilant about opportunist political parties then upcoming elections may prove to be an assault on the unity. In this situation the organisation appeals to the masses that they should keep the unity intact and raise the basic issues in the coming days which will be the parameters to test political parties and politicians make fake promises. Masses should not expect anything from the elections but depend on their own unity and struggles. Harinder Kaur Bindu, leader of woman wing of the organisation hailed the exemplary role played by the women. She stated that women played leading and equal role in the protest against farm laws. She asserted that this role will be expanded in the future struggles. She called women to take more responsibility in the struggles. Lachman Singh Sevewala, General Secretary of Punjab Khet Mazdoor Union reminded that farm workers have played an important role in the agitation and the unity among farmers and farm workers has become stronger. Amolak Singh state president of PLS Manch said that writers and artists of Punjab have played their supportive role in this agitation as always.Their unity with struggling people has been strengthened. At this occasion Dr. Navsharan Kour famous human rights activist, Gohar Raza, Shabnam Hashmi,Nandini Sunder,Santu Dass from West Bengal, Sushila women farmer leader from Haryana, Hamir Singh senior reporter Punjabi Tribune,Ritu Koshik Rajasthan,Kawita Srivastav, Ramsharan Joshi,Prof. Arazmand Araa, Subhash Ali, Ramshand & Sukhwinder Sukhi DTF also addressed the gathering. Jaswinder Singh Longowal,Hardip Singh Tallewal, Janak Singh Bhutal, Jagtar Singh Kalajhar,,Atarjit Singh story writer,and Manjinder Sraan were also present at this occasion. Released by: Sukhdev Singh kokri Kalan -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Green Youth Movement" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. 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