Now the real work begins

Earlier today, we got a copy of the document that sets out the new trade rules that the WTO is trying to come up with. We really don't like this first glimpse at what the WTO is trying to agree on here in Cancun. In fact Sebastian, a member of our political team, says this is the worst possible scenario.

We don't like it because it will increase environmental degradation by decreasing the power of governments to pass their own environmental regulations. If this draft is adopted, there will be a further relaxation of energy rules, for instance.

We don't like it because it starts negotiations on new issues that it's poorer members have not agreed to bargain on. They did this by tying negotiations on agriculture, which the developing countries want, to expanding negotiations in areas poorer countries don't want to bargain on, like investment. This is the very definition of "forced trade".

We don't like it because it strengthens the ties between the WTO, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, without strengthening the corresponding United Nations organizations. This means that the main tools for pushing for neo-liberal economic policies are growing stronger, and the multilateral UN which can balance that power, grows weaker.

Now that we have an idea of how bad the situation is, we can get working with our allies to influence the final decisions. This includes supporting poorer countries in any way we can, to ensure that they are not steamrolled by the demands of the richer countries. Different members of our team will be meeting throughout the night with our allies, and again tomorrow morning, to come up with plans.