COMMENTARY Voice for sustainabilitv unheard with a vote for NAFTA By Nicholas Veluz/i The North American Free Trade Agreement is an interna tional trade accord between the United States. Mexico and Cana da aimed at creating the largest single trading bloc: in the world. The proponent- -f NAFTA tout that its passant, will result in a win-win-win situation throughout North America. The prescribed formula includes economic growth, more jobs, reduced costs of goods, added consumer choice and increased competitiveness. This new set of rules will accomplish this by removing as many restrictions as possible, which include, but is not limit ed to, tariffs, subsidies, and non tariff trade barriers (e g. environ ment regulation). Although many issues have been raised concerning labor and the envi ronment. not much media time has been given to the effects NAFTA's structure will have on the population of North Ameri ca. Essentially. NAFTA isn't so much about trade as it is about the consolidation of power in the hands of few. Consider the process in whic h NAFTA was negotiated. Of approximately too members on the boards of the U S. trade rep resentative. one represents labor, three represent the envi ronment. and 996 are corporate representatives and trade ec ono mists Additionally, the negotia tion proc ess was conducted in sei ret and ptthlic in put wasn ’ given thi' time i ‘ day This process is I'd i ati\ t i 1 the inter ests NAi I A represi nts NAFTA. ! j. will become irteriialiona. iw As .1 rest' !. any federal state or local law whi< h 1 oul.ic ts w th NAI I A ((•! any s, h law w .1 h con diets with a ruling bv n NAF'I A dispute resolution panel) n «*W( VOU ^ wiim 'S 4wvfloOv’. d regulations that would lend to an increased quality of life, such ,is alternative energy innovation, the protection of natural resources or confronting a fm - The proponents of NAFTA tout that its passage will result in a win-win-win situation throughout North America. lory's discharge on hazardous waste. NAFTA promotes resource extraction and increased non renewable energy consumption rather than support for sustain able development und conserva tion or alternative energy research and development. So, N’ A FT A protects government subsidies for oil and gas explo ration, while leaving govern ment scpport lor energy and i misery at mu programs open to attm k as unfair trade harriers While the Mexii < iotistitu linn prohibits most foreign investment in the state-owned nil >m ’r\ il l Ml M many fear it s only -i matter of time hefo 'e esi dating I S oil reserves. Sim itar provisions exist \vithln the l: S Canndu Free Trade Agree ment, approved in 1981), result ing in aggressive l' S business moving to secure contrac ts on Canada’s energy resources Consider the |ames Huy Hydroelectrii Project in North ern Quebec The project will flood an area the size of Ver mont to export the majority of megawatts ol elei trit.itv ammullv to the U S . which v\ ill not only have catastrophic effei ts oil the environment, hut w ill devastate the land base, life and culture of Northern ( ice and limit who inhabit the region In Mexico, proponents ••nv. an inert ase m |obs wall m< reive the standard Ol living of winking Sh xii avs, id' i h should enable them n buy more I S prodtli ts, thus producing jobs in the I S Alter intensive study of this agreement and the maqu a set - tor. wh i h is a model lor what the .11 i ord is based upon. I find no ev idem e of ai curat v to this statement. Due to a complex political et:o nomii history ill Mexico, real wages, with the help of govern ment intervention, decreased approximately till percent during the 80s The Mexican govern merit ninintains that tight control over organized labor though its Confederation Trabajadores Mex icanos (CI'M). Typically tf a worker tries to organize a union independent of the CTM sho/he will pay a high price. The costs range from incarceration, receiv ing threats and their life The real ity is that this situation is inte gral to maintaining the "good business climate" in Mexico. The central goal of NAFTA is to maintain the < urrent "good business climate" in Mexico and the remainder of l-atin America to be setting the rules, neo-lib erol trickle-down economics, in stone. Saving "no to NAFTA" isn't saving "yes to protection ism" Kconomic: integration between the U S. and Mexico is inevitable After all. it has been going on for over 30 years. There are alternatives coming from the Fortune 500 Grassroot-based coalitions in Mexico, Canada, and the U S have been coordi nating efforts to oppose NAFTA and have come up with the alternative integration proposals based upon demiK rai \ , equality and environment sustamubility If the currently proposed NAF 1 A passes, wo i an be sure the voices for sustainability will never be heard Xifhalns Velluzr.i is a senior in ihr International Studies department Cash For Textbooks Mon.-Sat, Smith Family Bookstore 768 E. 13th 1 Block From Campos 345-1651 Sherrie Barr and Mar> Seereiter in TwoDance F riday, November 19 and Saturday, November 20 8:00pm Dougherty l hi nee theatre Gerlinger Annex , University of Oregon General-$6 Students and Seniors-$3 Sponsored fry the UO Department of Dance 346-3386 Celebrate Style$aver Month. Free Gilts with every Stylecut. 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