News Update From The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods

>> Protesters Won't Stop Trade Efforts
>>
>> By MIKE GLOVER
>> Associated Press Writer
>>
>> August 13, 2001
>>
>> DES MOINES, Iowa -- Protesters seeking to disrupt world trade
>> negotiations won't win the political struggle in developing countries
>> eager for outside help to fight hunger and improve living conditions,
>> the nation's top trade official said Monday.
>>
>> U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said his top goal is to
>> reconvene talks aimed at a global easing of trade restrictions, and he
>> won't be deterred by often-violent protests.
>>
>> "The best choice for America's farmers is in global trade negotiations,"
>> Zoellick said at a news conference.
>>
>> Protests have dogged each of the recent trade summits, with activists
>> claiming that free markets exploit poor and developing countries.
>>
>> Zoellick said trade advocates are winning the political debate by
>> arguing that trade can help developing countries raise their living
>> standards.
>>
>> "The countries that open their markets grow more," he said. "I don't
>> find a lot of sympathy in developing countries for these protesters."
>>
>> Zoellick also said the United States will continue to lobby for
>> genetically modified crops to be allowed into the European market, a key
>> sticking point between otherwise strong trade allies.
>>
>> Resistance in Europe is understandable because those countries have
>> suffered through Mad Cow disease and other agriculture disasters that
>> make consumers -- and governments -- leery of changes in farming,
>> Zoellick said.
>>
>> "People in Europe are scared," he said. "They need to solve these
>> problems on their own and not saddle us."
>>
>> While Zoellick is part of the international debate over trade issues, he
>> came to friendly territory on Monday. He joined Sen. Charles Grassley,
>> R-Iowa, at the Iowa State Fair to open Grassley's annual "Ambassador's
>> Tour" around the state.
>>
>> Each year, Grassley takes embassy officials from Washington on a tour of
>> Iowa to tout trade opportunities in the state. This year's version of
>> the trade tour -- launched with lunch at the State Fair -- includes
>> representatives from 52 countries.

###

Thanks for your continued support of The Campaign to Label Genetically
Engineered Foods. You activism IS making a difference!

Craig Winters
Executive Director
The Campaign to Label Genetically Engineered Foods

The Campaign
PO Box 55699
Seattle, WA 98155
Tel: 425-771-4049
Fax: 603-825-5841
E-mail: mailto:[log in to unmask]
Web Site: http://www.thecampaign.org

Mission Statement: "To create a national grassroots consumer campaign
for the purpose of lobbying Congress and the President to pass
legislation that will require the labeling of genetically engineered
foods in the United States."

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To get off the IOWA-TOPICS list, send any message to:
[log in to unmask]