----- Original Message ----- From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2001 7:26 PM Subject: [UK_Left_Network] UK into NAFTA? Below is article found on indymedia.co.uk on possible accession of the UK into NAFTA. Will the UK attempt to bring the EURO into a joint agreement with NAFTA? Is global imperialism unifying its economy or is it on the verge of an imperialist split? The crisis in Japan and the collapse of the stock exchanges will lead to what? Inter-imperialist divisions or simply imperialist attacks against the workers of the world? meberry68 FTAA DEVELOPMENTS The Seventh Meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) of the FTAA took place in Lima, Peru, January 22-25, 2001. CARICOM was represented at this meeting by Vice Ministers from Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago. Discussion was focussed mainly on issues to be dealt with at the Upcoming Ministerial to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina in April 2001. The treatment of differences in levels of development and size of the economies, a standing issue on the TNC agenda of particular relevance to CARICOM, was the subject of further discussion. CARICOM reflected their concern that the treatment of differences in levels of development and size had been uneven in the various negotiating groups. Of further concern was the apparent uncertainty that some negotiating groups had about the TNC's mandate on communication with the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies CGSE). In this regard, CARICOM urged the TNC to ensure that all Negotiating Groups fulfilled their mandate with regard to communicating with the Consultative Group on Smaller Economies (CGSE). CARICOM reminded the TNC that it had made specific proposals in all the Negotiating Groups on matters relevant to smaller economies and these had been submitted to the CGSE. It was emphasised that it was the responsibility of the Chairs of the Negotiating Groups to submit their reports to the CGSE and request assistance in relevant areas. In response to the air of uncertainty, CARICOM proposed draft language for inclusion in the Buenos Aires Ministerial Declaration to address the issue and ensure that previous instructions were acted on. Other issues of concern for CARICOM were the proposals that there be a separate negotiating group on Financial Services, that is, to divorce this subject from the present Negotiating Group on Services and set up a new group, and, the suggestion that the completion of the FTAA be accelerated from the original proposed date of 2005 to 2003. There has been no consensus on either issues but CARICOM stated it that it was not in support of either proposals. NEW U.S. ADMINISTRATION'S TRADE INITIATIVES The new U.S. Republican Administration has signalled its readiness to move forward with its international trade agenda. On January 22, 2001 Senator Phil Gramm tabled four bills in the Senate: S. 136 the Fast-Track Trade Negotiating Authority Act S. 137 the Americas Free Trade Act S. 138 the Chile NAFTA Accession Act S. 140 the UK-NAFTA Accession Act S. 136 amends the Omnibus Trade and Competitiveness Act of 1988 to extend through December 31, 2004: (1) the President's trade agreement negotiating authority; and (2) congressional fast track procedures (no amendments) to implementing bills submitted with respect to trade agreements. S. 137 requires the President to initiate trade agreement negotiations for a Western Hemisphere free trade area. The Act would not be applicable to Cuba unless the President certifies to the Congress that: (1) freedom has been restored in Cuba; and (2) the claims of U.S. citizens for compensation for expropriated property have been appropriately addressed. The bill further sets forth determinations the President must make about Cuba before certifying that freedom has been restored and states that, once such certification is made, priority be given to negotiation of a free trade agreement with Cuba. It too applies congressional fast track procedures (no amendments) to implementing bills for trade agreements entered under this Act. S. 138 and 140 would authorize the President to enter into: (1) an agreement for the accession of the Chile/United Kingdom, respectively, to NAFTA; or (2) a bilateral agreement between the United States and Chile/ United Kingdom that reduces and ultimately eliminates tariffs and other nontariff barriers to trade and provides for the eventual establishment of a free trade area Applies congressional fast track procedures (no amendments) to implementing bills for trade agreements entered under this Act. ------------------------ Yahoo! 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