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Third World Resurgence #185 (Jan 2006) This issue’s contents:
WTO Ministerial outcome imbalanced against developing countries By Martin Khor After the collapse of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)'s Cancun Ministerial Conference in 2003 as a result of its failure to resolve differences between member states over the implementation of the 'Doha Development Agenda' set by the 2001 Ministerial Conference, some tortuous negotiations were held in Geneva in preparation for the latest Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong. Unfortunately, the outcome of the Hong Kong meeting, which took place on 13-18 December, proved a setback for developing countries as they received only some paltry concessions from the rich countries in return for the potentially damaging commitments they made to open up the services and industrial sectors of their economies.
By Martin Khor The adoption of the Hong Kong Ministerial Declaration was the culmination of a conference characterised by murky and less-than-inclusive negotiations.
By Sangeeta Shashikant After the end of the WTO Ministerial, some important official press briefings were held, including one by the Conference chairman at which he unveiled a 'roadmap' for the conclusion of the negotiations in 2006. Sangeeta Shashikant reports the highlights of these briefings.
By Hira Jhamtani Development activists have flayed the Hong Kong Ministerial outcome as an affront to the world's poor. By Tetteh Hormeku In the following article, written before the conclusion of the Ministerial Conference, Tetteh Hormeku questions whether the much-touted 'development package' reflected in the Hong Kong Ministerial text was true to its name.
By Chakravarthi Raghavan Writing before the Hong Kong Ministerial got underway, Chakravarthi Raghavan warned that a deal in Hong Kong on the basis of the so-called 'Doha Development Round' would leave developing countries even worse off than a collapse of the Ministerial, as it would inevitably result in a further restriction of their development policy options.
Indonesian farmers prosecuted for breeding their own seeds By Hira Jhamtani and Dey Patria Some Indonesian farmers were recently prosecuted at the behest of a seed marketing company for breeding their own seeds instead of purchasing them from the company. Although the cases did not involve genetically modified seeds or seed multinationals, they have some disturbing implications.
Tsunami reveals dumping of nuclear and toxic waste in Somalia By David Fig While aid has poured into Asian countries hit by the Indian Ocean tsunami, the international community has failed to help Somalia deal with a sinister after-effect of the disaster: the exposure of hazardous waste illegally dumped on its coastline.
Reshaping the nuclear non-proliferation regime By Karel Koster Iran's decision to resume its nuclear research programme has engendered a strong Western response. However, as the following article, written before the latest standoff, reveals, the process apparently shaping the 'Iranian nuclear crisis' evidently has more ramifications than meet the eye. In fact, the Iranian case could be considered a smokescreen for some far-reaching changes in the treaty arrangements regarding the proliferation of nuclear technology.
By Siddharth Varadarajan The East Asia Summit process, the proposed Asian energy grid, and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation are three pillars of the emerging strategic architecture in Asia. There is no need for the region to turn to outside powers in the name of 'balance of power', says Siddharth Varadarajan.
By Gretchen Gordon The electoral victory in December of Evo Morales, who will now become Bolivia's first indigenous president, is a truly historic event. However, as Gretchen Gordon points out, the real challenges lie ahead.
By Mustafa Barghouti The on-the-ground reality of Israel's moral bankruptcy in its genocidal policies towards the Palestinians remains as clear as ever, writes Mustafa Barghouti.
By Felicity Arbuthnot A whole generation of Iraqi youth which has experienced embargoes, bombing, war and occupation by the US is being pushed into becoming the resistance.
By Saul Landau If George Bush and his cohorts in Washington are able to relentlessly pursue a 'pro-super-rich' economic agenda while at the same time undermining civil liberties and democratic rights without precipitating a strong reaction, it is because, contends Saul Landau, the vast public, more than half of which does not vote, gets distracted and possesses little memory.
Three lessons from the Rwandan genocide By Gerald Caplan In 1994, the world stood by as extremist Hutus in Rwanda massacred some 800,000 of their Tutsi compatriots over a period of 100 days between April and June. Gerald Caplan considers the lessons the international community should draw from this genocide.
Ariel Sharon - a symbolic gatekeeper of the West? By Jeremy Seabrook Ariel Sharon, now incapacitated by a stroke, has been hailed by the West as 'a statesman' after his decision to withdraw Israeli settlers and troops from the Gaza Strip. Jeremy Seabrook contends that while his ostensible shift in political orientation may well find strong resonance among Western regimes adept at such manoeuvring, it is Sharon's achievement in creating 'the largest gated community in the world' that provides a symbolic bond with the West. For subscription and enquiries: THIRD WORLD NETWORK Tel: 60-4-2266728/2266159; Fax: 60-4-2264505; Email: twnet@po.jaring.my
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