THE FTAA AND SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS
APRIL 2001 IN QUEBEC CITY
Sun, 5 Nov 2000
http://anti-capitalisme.ctw.net/anglais/appelang.htm
AN OPEN CALL FOR THE FORMATION OF A MONTREAL GRASSROOTS COALITION AGAINST THE FTAA AND SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS - APRIL 2001 IN QUEBEC CITY
Next April 2001, Quebec City has the dubious honour of hosting the Summit of the Americas, which will bring together all the so-called leaders of North, Central and South America (except Cuba). For a few days, Quebec City will be turned into a militarized zone as these leaders, and their CEO pals, gather for a series of meetings, photo-ops and posh dinners. The stated purpose of the Summit is to put the final touches on the Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement (FTAA), which aims to extend NAFTA (the North American Free Trade Agreement) to the entire hemisphere. The FTAA negotiations are not limited to commercial matters, but will include issues related to social policy (education, health, etc.) and the environment. The FTAA is supposed to be adopted by no later than 2005.
The FTAA, like the WTO, MAI, APEC, IMF and the rest of the never-ending alphabet soup, is part of a host of accords and institutions that drive capitalist globalization. Like previous gatherings of the WTO in Seattle (1999) and Geneva (1998), APEC in Vancouver (1997) and Manila (1996), the IMF in Washington (April 2000) or the G-8 in a variety of cities, the Summit of the Americas is an opportunity for local activists from a variety of struggles and causes to mobilize against a tangible example of the power of big capital.
Already several organizations in Quebec have begun mobilizing against the FTAA, ranging from unions and NGOs to grassroots groups who will be engaging in non-violent civil disobedience. Analyses against the FTAA, and to capitalist globalization more generally, range from those who wish to reform the trading system (social clauses, Tobin Tax, etc.) to those who challenge the underpinnings of capitalism itself.
The purpose of this letter is to set in motion the formation of a coalition of activists and organizations in Quebec to mobilize against the FTAA with a clear anti-FTAA, anti-capitalist position, as well as a clear rejection of hierarchies between sexes, cultures and individuals. The exact framework of this coalition is to be determined by participants, although we'd like to encompass as many groups and individuals, representing a variety of tactics, while stressing decentralization, autonomy and affinity as organizing principles. We wish to creatively, effectively and militantly oppose the FTAA, as opposed to engaging in lobbying or reformist strategies.
Let's bring some of "Spirit of Seattle" to Quebec in time for April 2001 and the Summit of the Americas.