People's Democracy

Do Not Capitulate To US Pressure In WTO Talks

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) issued the following statement on July 28, 2008

EFFORTS are on by the developed countries led by the US to force an agreement in the WTO talks in Geneva, which will be inimical to the interests of the developing countries. The latest draft released by the WTO Director General on July 25 reflects glaring inequities in Agriculture and NAMA. While the developed countries like the US and EU would be able to retain much of their huge subsidies, the developing countries would be forced to undertake steep cuts in agricultural and industrial tariffs. The provisions for protecting developing countries' agriculture through designation of Special Products and Special Safeguard Mechanism have been diluted to such an extent that they are rendered meaningless. Such an outcome would make a mockery of the "development" dimension of the Doha Round.

The US is exerting pressure upon India to fall in line and facilitate the adoption of an iniquitous agreement. The US president had called up the Indian prime minister in this connection. The UPA government should not compromise India's stand at the WTO talks in Geneva. Capitulation to US pressure would amount to another betrayal of national interest.