Prensa Latina, Cuba

Peruvians Striking against FTA

8 June 2006

Lima, Jun 8 (Prensa Latina) Peruvian grassroots organizations are beginning Thursday a strike against the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the US to avoid its ratification by Congress.

The measure follows the decision of Alejandro Toledo’s government to not reverse the deal that will prejudice the agrarian sector.

In a communiqué, several Peruvian agrarian bodies expressed the FTA will also jeopardize national sovereignty because of the dependant relations it sets with the transnational capital.

With that aim, they demand that the current Legislative power not ratify the agreement and hold a referendum.

Among those buttressing the initiative are the National Agrarian Confederation, the Campesina Confederation, the National Cotton Producers Association, the Confederation of Amazon Nationalities of Peru plus the National Confederation of Communities Affected by Mining.

The strike coincides with debates of the Legislature to ratify or not the text, which can only be modified by the US Congress.