Commerce chief pushes for 'North American integration'

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | March 24, 2007 | Jerome R. Corsi

[Man50D]

While the Bush administration insists the controversial Security and Prosperity Partnership is just a dialogue with Canada and Mexico, a State Department cable released to WND shows Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez pressing to implement major trilateral initiatives to help "capture the vision of North American integration."

The cable was among some 150 pages of State Department SPP documents recently released to WND under a Freedom of Information Act request.

Howard Phillips, who has formed a coalition to block development of a "North American Union" and formation of NAFTA superhighways, told WND the document "makes clear that the agenda of SPP is to pursue major economic integration that redefines U.S. businesses into a 'North American' definition."

By leading with economics, SPP is crafting a North American regulatory structure that transforms U.S. regulations by 'harmonizing' them with Mexican and Canadian regulations, all without specific congressional approval," said Phillips, chairman of the Conservative Caucus.

The State Department communiqué, dated May 20, 2005, documents a March 13, 2005, meeting between Gutierrez, Mexican Secretary of Economy Fernando Canales and Canadian Privy Council Assistant Secretary Phil Ventura. The meeting was held just prior to the announcement of SPP at the trilateral summit with the country's three leaders in Waco, Texas, March 23, 2005.

The cable notes Gutierrez opened the discussion by stressing that the July 23, 2005, "Report to Leaders" needed "to show results" that would be "enduring and create an on-going process."

Gutierrez suggested each working group should propose one "big ticket" issue, rather than the "50-60 smaller initiatives" that were then in the SPP "matrix," allowing the "SPP ministers" to capture the attention of the "SPP leaders" with major North American integration goals that were both tangible and important.

"This memo gives us an important 'behind the scenes' look at the trilateral bureaucratic process that gave rise to the "Report to Leaders.

The 2005 "Report to Leaders" on the SPP website, Phillips noted, resulted from a detailed process of trilateral bureaucratic meetings that led to cabinet-level discussions within the three governments. The end result, he said, was for the report to "focus on the major SPP working group initiatives that could advance the goal of North American integration."

Phillips contended a "close reading of the document makes a lie of the SPP 'myth vs. facts' contention that SPP is just a 'dialogue.'

"The document quotes Canada's Ventura as stating that the three countries should prepare a joint document declaring their trilateral intention to 'integrate' a list of industries, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals, textiles, furniture, and steel," he argued. "Ventura said the more 'trilateral integrated' industries that could be listed, the better."

At the meeting, Gutierrez proposed that the SPP ministers think in terms of a trilateral "integrated" auto industry creating a "Made in North America Vehicle by 2009." He also suggested announcing "an IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) Violation Free Zone by 2010" and that SPP ministers should hold weekly conference calls to advance the agenda.

"The economic route being pursued behind closed doors by SPP working groups is a replay of the exact stealth route taken in Europe," Phillips noted.

"Right now the EU is celebrating with a series of television commercials the evolution over a 50-year period from an initial coal and steel agreement to a full-fledged European Union regional government with the euro as a regional currency," he said.

The recently uncovered State Department memo, Phillips added, makes clear the same bureaucratic process of regional integration is being implemented in North America within working group and minister meetings that are closed to the public and the press.

"The State Department memo also makes clear that Gutierrez is a major moving force driving the North American integration agenda for the Bush White House," Phillips said.

Supporting Phillips' contention, the State Department cable noted in the last paragraph the meeting got off to a slow start, but under Gutierrez's leadership "it resulted in concrete ideas and direction for the working groups."

[1rudeboy]

Seems to me you would have a greater concern about the direction this country is headed rather, than trying to downplay a situation which might inevitably take those rights and privileges away.

On the contrary. My concern is having my rights and privileges taken away now because there is a (from where I sit, irrational) fear they may be taken away in the future. There is no shortage of people on these threads (not you, necessarily) whose solution to "creeping" socialism is what only can be described as "preventive" socialism.

[Toddsterpatriot]

There is no shortage of people on these threads (not you, necessarily) whose solution to "creeping" socialism is what only can be described as "preventive" socialism.

Willie logic!

[1rudeboy]

Don't knock it. It's for your own good, traitor.

[wolfcreek]

"On the contrary"


That may be true but, from my perspective, that seems like an equal and opposite reaction. IMO, most people on this forum want the same thing although, their solutions may differ greatly.
The big problem, as much as We'd like to, We can't trust to powers that be to do the right thing. We've essentially lost control. The *creeping* sensation you feel is Corporate induced socialism. (I don't think there has even been a word invented to describe it)

[1rudeboy]

The word is "corporatism," although I cringe when I hear it since it is usually used by long-haired, dope-smoking, hippy-types.

[Suzy Quzy]

Send this to Michael Medved...ASAP!!!

[Lloyd227]

".... . because they exist on a sliding-scale of reality"

I am so glad that your opinion is a minority around here.

[wolfcreek]

"corporatism,"


With our loss of governmental control to corporate interests, our Conservative belief in free-market capitalism is basically being used against us.


We feed the monster.

[1rudeboy]

If true, one would think that as a member of the majority, you wouldn't find it so difficult to explain yourself.

[1rudeboy]

Thanks for reminding me of Medved. He nailed it:

I’m sorry to sound cynical and intolerant about this stupidity, but I’m furious, actually – ashamed to be part of a proud medium (conservative talk radio) that increasingly encourages this paralyzing, puerile paranoia. The record couldn’t be more clear on the “North American Union” – there’s no one anywhere near the Bush administration, the Congress of the United States, Cabinet departments or even major think tanks who believes it’s a good idea to merge Canada, Mexico and the U.S. Yes, there was one article in the journal Foreign Affairs that suggested further reducing trade barriers and economic obstacles in the style of the European Union, but that article drew spirited opposition and condemnation from readers of the same magazine and other members of the Council on Foreign Relations. The goal of “North American Union” is far from a policy aim of the Council on Foreign Relations, let alone of the US government.

[chatham]

"This effort builds on the excellent, long-standing relations among our three countries. The response to your request is attached".

What are these people thinking or smoking , if the above paragraph is in their lead.

Mexico is at this time Invading the U.S.A. and from the slogans and comments fo their Leaders intend to take over the U.S.A. and get rid of all "OLD European GRINGO"S", wishing them dead.

Canadians just want what they can get economically from the U.S.A., and at this time are trying to split Canada.

Give us a Break.

Yeah, we really need to double or triple our welafre state with uneducated unskilled poor people.

Thanks George W. Bush ???????

I don't trust most of 'em mainly, George W. and Chertoff.