PM slams rich nations for collapse of WTO talks

[whirlygigspin]

"When will we stop this nonsense of giving so much subsidies that a cow in some countries gets more money than any child," Chretien said Tuesday to an international conference of chambers of commerce.

"It's time we wake up. We live in a global economy, but this global economy has to contribute to the welfare of every member of the global situation of the world."


http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/1063737032638_282///?hub=Canada

[Maple]

1. Yes!

Now THAT is MY PM.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[StandWatie]

3. You are Japanese?

[aneerkoinos]

6. Actually

US recently surpassed Japan as biggest single donor in $$$, because Japan is getting poor and can't give so much aid anymore.

But let's get real. As percentage of GNP US is the worst donor of OECD countries. EU and EU members together donate 50% of all development aid in the world.

And let's not go into how US is using it's aid...

[Maple]

4. You're not being asked to contribute anything

This is trade...not foreign aid.

You are being asked to stop subsidizing farmers...paying them for NOT growing anything.

But hey...if you like seeing children starve because you won't open your markets........

[whirlygigspin]

5. Moo!

$$$

[arcos]

8. actually subsidies are VERY NECESSARY in developing countries...

In some countries, 25% or more of workers depend directly or indirectly on agriculture. If the government doesn't subsidize farmers, they will not be able to compete because cheaper products from other countries will be available. And the whole economy will go down the sink because a lot of people depend on it.

[sandnsea]

7. We all go up together

That's how it worked in the US in the 90's, that's how it's going to work around the world. Foreign aid isn't just handing out grain. It's doing the same kinds of work we do here to help lift people up out of poverty. And the reason people hate us is because we have too many policies that starve them to death, and not enough to help them. Even the foreign aid we give is a joke. Bush's 2003 budget called for $11 million for foreign aid and $43 'peacekeeping' and foreign armed services. So even though foreign aid is less than 1% of our budget to begin with, most of it isn't for real foreign aid anyway.

[aneerkoinos]

9. Yep, less than 1% allright :D

Too lazy to google the real number, but if I remember right it's about 0,1%, wee bit from the UN recommendation of 0,7%...