>X-BlackMail: 195.99.86.4, venise.magic.fr, [EMAIL PROTECTED], 195.99.86.4 >X-Authenticated-Timestamp: 11:29:59(EST) on March 23, 1998 >Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 17:20:36 +0100 (MET) apologies for cross postings. Here's some important news on MAI from France. >X-Sender: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (Unverified) >X-Mailer: Eudora F1.5.3 >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] (ecoropa) >Subject: Latest news from France > >Dear France, > >Please find enclosed a short memo on possible OECD's scenario after April. >As well as some details on the ongoing preparations for the 28th of April >demonstration. > >WATCH OUT >THE OECD HAS A BACKUP STRATEGY FOR THE MAI ! > >AN ALERT FROM THE OBSERVATOIRE DE LA MONDIALISATION (GLOBALISATION >OBSERVATORY), PARIS > >[We know the MAI as it stands may be in trouble. But the neo-1iberals are >not going to give up so easily. Here, according to a friend from the French >Society of Film Directors who recently shared a meal with one of the >Director of the Investment Department at the OECD, is what they may try >next]. > >States negotiating the MAI can table reservations relative to the framework >of future liberalisation of international investment. >Some observers believe that these reservations will allow a government to >sign the MAI and still protect certain sectors of its national economy from >transnational takeover (e.g. the 'cultural sector' in France; natural >resources in Norway / Canada, etc.) > >THIS IS A TRAP. Such 'protection' is highly problematic. >According to the OECD officia1, vho let it slip, these reservations could >well be removed from the final text of the Treaty. According to this >official, the 'critical mass' States (US, Canada, Japan, Europe) could soon >sign an agreement containing the basic principles of the MAI. The various >national reservations would be annexed. >Once the 'critical mass' vas assured, a second series of negociations wou1d >be programmed. In such a case, vith the basic Treaty already signed, the >rules concerning international negociations (Vienna convention) vould apply >: only a two-third majority rule for taking decision would be required. > >National reservations would then be examined case by case: A NATIONAL >RESERVATION WHICH DID NOT OBTAIN THE TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY IN ITS FAVOUR >WOULD BE REJECTED. > >Sir Leon Brittan, Vice-President of the European Commission and >Commissioner in charge of relations vith the United States, is using the >same strategy in his bid for the NEW TRANSATLANTIC MARKET [NTM]. Various >exceptions (agriculture, culture, audiovisual, etc.) would be welcomed with >alacrity, so long as the underlying principles of the project were >accepted. >DRACULA IS NOT YET DEAD ! >KEEP UP THE PRESSURE ! >REMEMBER : IN ITALIAN, 'MAI' MEANS 'NEVER' ! > >International Demonstration planned for April 28th. The title of the >demonstration is : >International gathering : >For the definitive funeral of the MAI and the NTM... >Against the neo-liberal agression, >For the humans rights and the rights of the peoples. >What is planned is a half day of forums, debats and cultural activities in >a place close to the OECD, plus a suprise at the end of the day... We would >like to know by tomorrow afternoon 16.00 if anybody from the network wants >to support this demonstration. > >Of course for those of you who want to participate in the activities, there >will be be plenty of opportunities, and we could have a strategy meeting >the next day. So please let us know ASAP. Have a good day and see you soon. > >Etienne Vernet >
