Peru protests could mar FTA debates
Prensa Latina, Cuba
Peru Protests could Mar FTA Debates
6 June 2006
Lima, Jun 6 (Prensa Latina) Peruvian Congress Agrarian and Foreign Trade Commissions have started to discuss the US-devised free trade agreement.
Congress President Marcial Ayaipoma said Foreign Trade Minister Alfredo Ferrero and PM Pedro Pablo Kuczynski will explain the terms in a 30-day debate.
Ayaipoma said the discussions include laws to mitigate damages to agriculture and modernize the sector if the accord is passed early in July.
Farmer, labor and student organizations announced a general strike for Jun 8 since the accord harms small producers and national sovereignty by creating dependence on transnational capital.
The grassroots organizations said they will consider the Treaty’s approval as treason for yielding national sovereignty to predatory capital so they urge Congress to hold a referendum instead.
Peru completed negotiations with the US on Dec 7, 2005, after 13 rounds started May 2004 along with Ecuador and Colombia.
