An esteemed economist beloved by all on this list sent me this note:
Two weeks from now the largest world summit ever will be held at the U.N. You may have heard that the new U.S. Ambassador John Bolton and thrown a last minute wrench in the works with new sweeping proposals - to the delight of the right and consternation of liberals. Much of the reporting centered on the issues of development goals, the Kyoto treaty, and similar but not entirely new issues. (see Fox http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,168114,00.html vs. http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/01/international/01nations.html ) But there were also vague references to the aghast reactions of the other governments and that the UN Secretary-General interrupted his vacation in Africa to fly back. They had actually seen the document. What was in it? It is now available on the web. Most of the issues that are mentioned in the conservative media are routine UN diplomacy - many governments want references to international treaties and agreements that US conservatives oppose. The offending parts are never included, that's just the process the U.S. faces when it is alone on these issues. BUT John Bolton's draft has new and breathtaking philosophical departures that some have called bordering on "barbarism". Hear is a sample. (the Bolton Draft is available, courtesy of Josh Marshall the Washington Monthly writer and columnist for The Hill,at http://talkingpointsmemo.com/docs/us.comments.pdf Deletions in the margin; additions are underlined) A sample of Bolton's positions, on behalf of the U.S. : There should be NO commitment to international law "so as to maintain peace and security" (para 2) "Respect for nature" should NOT be reaffirmed (para 4) NO support should be expressed for "self determination for people under colonial domination or foreign occupation" (para 5) The economically productive sectors in the 3rd world are NOT "of" the developing counties (just "in" them). (para 17) "Good governance" applies only to the national level, NOT the international level (para 20) Efforts to stop corruption should NOT include reference to "corporate responsibility or accountability" (para 21 page 4) Macro Economic Policies can NOT be referred to as "international" (para 33) ONLY the "worst forms" of child labor should be eliminated (para 33) Climate Change can NOT be called a "serious challenge" (para 34) Human Rights and fundamental freedoms should NOT necessarily be respected with respect to "political opinion, national or social origin or status of birth or property" (para 101) There should be NO commitment to respect children's rights regardless of "race, color or sex" (para 107) Democracy does NOT necessarily imply "the freely expressed will of peoples" (para 114) In an humanitarian disasters NO commitment should be given to dealing with vulnerable populations on the principle of basic "humanity". (para 151 page 34) [Proposed before New Orleans!] World leaders should NOT encourage "responsible business practices" (para 154) -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University michael at ecst.csuchico.edu Chico, CA 95929 530-898-5321 fax 530-898-5901
