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militarism | terrorism | security

P5+1 nuclear package of incentives offered to Iran (2006)
19-Jul-2006 Iran Focus
The elements of a proposal to Iran as approved on 1 June 2006 at the meeting in Vienna of Britain, China, France, Germany, Russia, the United States and the European Union, including the commitment to achieve an EU-Iran Trade and Economic Cooperation Agreement on trade and investment.
U.S., Oman Pact Nixes Israel Boycott
29-Jun-2006
The U.S. Congress is likely to approve a free trade agreement that includes strong foreign policy components with Oman, one of Washington’s closest allies in the Middle East, despite protests over the Arab country’s record on labour standards, human rights and the environment.
FTAs: Much more than trade pacts
29-Jun-2006
In keeping with the global trend, it is free trade agreement (FTA) talks galore in the Gulf. Apart from a deal with Lebanon, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are collectively and individually negotiating FTAs with the United States, European Union and India at present.
Trading on terror to profit a few
26-Jun-2006
Even as Congress has finally begun a serious debate about whether U.S. troops should be withdrawn from Iraq, another part of President Bush’s "war on terror" is advancing with far less public fanfare. Last month, the Senate Finance Committee approved the implementation of the U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement and cleared the way for its consideration by Congress.
Trade should be linked to normalisation with India and not resolution of Kashmir
21-Jun-2006
Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said in Karachi on Sunday that no progress had been made so far with the Indian government on the resolution of Siachen, let alone Kashmir and other vital issues, but he hoped that “outstanding issues will be resolved soon if the dialogue between the two neighbours continues”.
EU and Egypt fail to unblock association deal
15-Jun-2006 Reuters
Egypt and the European Union failed to wrap up a "neighbourhood action plan" because of differences over human rights in Egypt and nuclear weapons in the Middle East, an EU official said yesterday.
Colombia: Casualties in battle against free trade pact with US
23-May-2006 IPS
Indigenous and campesino protests against the free trade deal that Colombia is negotiating with the United States drew a harsh military response from the government of rightwing President Álvaro Uribe, leaving an as yet unknown number of people dead, injured or missing. Even the ombudsman of the southwestern province of Nariño, Carlos Mario Aguirre, was hospitalised last Thursday.
Yes Mr. Solana, the EU has abandoned the Palestinian people
4-May-2006 The Electronic Intifada
If Solana wants to demonstrate genuine support for the Palestinians he can start by calling for the suspension of the EU-Israel Association Agreement, in accordance with its Article 2 which grants Israel trade privileges only on condition that it respects human rights.
Aziz links free trade to Kashmir
3-May-2006 Daily Times
Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Monday that free trade with India was not possible without resolving political disputes.
Two former US officials talk up NZ
27-Apr-2006 stuff
Two former senior United States officials have urged the US to re-start military exercises and start negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand.
The US and China: strategic disconnect
20-Apr-2006 TCS Daily
A large set of strategic economic and security questions will challenge both US and Chinese leaders over the next decade. These relate directly to the growth of Asian regionalism, with attendant political institutions, decisions regarding new regional trade and investment agreements, as well as a potential new security architecture for at least East and South Asia.
Education sector to be included in FTA agenda
17-Apr-2006 Korea Times
South Korea is poised to include a partial opening of the education market in its coming talks for a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States. The US is calling for the Korean government to open the college education market involving graduate schools and the pre-school education market involving kindergartens.
US ports deal: A bitter aftertaste
10-Apr-2006
As a consequence of the furore by the US congress over DP World’s acquisition of several American ports, the Dubai state-owned company decided to avert a long legal battle and agreed to put these assets up for sale.
Inaugurating the Center for National Movements against the South Korea-US FTA
6-Apr-2006 IPLeft
Unless this FTA is blocked, Korean economy, nay, the whole Korean society will soon fall under US unilateralism built upon transnational capital, Korea-US military alliance, and of course the new gained strategic flexibility of the US forces in Korea.
Economy too deserves an Arab Summit
4-Apr-2006 Dar Al Hayat
The Great Arab Free Trade Area Agreement (GAFTA) was enforced in January 2005 after a 7-year preparatory transition period. This is the first joint Arab economic action likely to help the Arab countries gain huge profits in line with the regulations of the WTO, the venue absorbing regional economic blocs. Most probably, the results in the first experimental year were not up to the expectations.
Bolivia: Washington opening another front?
30-Mar-2006 Granma
Even before Evo Morales won the presidential elections on December 15, 2005 and took possession on January 22, his government entered one of Washington’s exclusion lists, in this case one of "populism," an epithet that serves the White House and the US State Department, in charge of issuing warnings, to denote an executive that does not please or suit them.
Pakistan seeks US market access to fight extremism
29-Mar-2006 Reuters AltertNet
What Pakistan really needs to fight extremism is better access to US markets in order to create jobs, Pakistan’s Commerce Minister Humayun Akhtar Khan said.
Pakistan, Canada to further enhance trade potentials
15-Mar-2006 Pakistan Times
Pakistan and Canada said they may soon start talks on a Free Trade Agreement.
US sees trade deal with UAE
15-Mar-2006 Reuters
The United States is eager to resume trade talks with the United Arab Emirates after the furore over a ports deal with Dubai and hopes to clinch an agreement within the next few months.
Free trade agreement - time to criticise big brother
22-Feb-2006 Online Opinion
What message does it send to the world when we unquestioningly enter into an agreement with a country who seeks to change the rules of the international game in order to win?