[hedgetrimmer]

First of all, let us recognize that the general vision and strategic orientations of the Summit of the Americas provide nothing less than the comprehensive framework and organizing principles for the social, economic and political relations b>among the community of nations of the hemisphere in the XXI century. The FTAA is not just one more initiative among the 23 initiatives launched in the Summit of the Americas. It is the pillar, the foundation of the grand project of hemispheric integration contained in the Summit vision. The Declaration of the Americas is a historic understanding on shared value and objectives and on the convenience of working together to achieve them. We have understood that it is through cooperation and integration that we can reach the living standards that we want for our people in the future. This is what has allowed and shall permit the conciliation of the different interests in favor of collective progress, in favor of sustainable development, in favor of democracy and in favor of the wellbeing of all. In addition, the last decades have witnessed important changes in the development strategies in Latin America.

Fourth Western Hemisphere Trade Ministerial and Business Forum
San José, Costa Rica - March 1998

"free trade" IS NOT ABOUT TRADE. It is about a "framework" which is a UN globalese word for government that controls the social, economic and political relations of nations.

If "free trade" was about trade, it would be about tariffs and nothing more.

[Modernman]

First of all, let us recognize that the general vision and strategic orientations of the Summit of the Americas provide nothing less than the comprehensive framework and organizing principles for the social, economic and political relations among the community of nations of the hemisphere in the XXI century.

You see something sinister in this passage? You seem to be looking for boogeymen that do not exist. All this statement is saying is that the various trade agreements amongst the Western Hemisphere nations will serve as the basis for relations among the nations.

Trade treaties are really nothing new. They simply deal with the relations between nations. If nations do not like the terms of a treay, they can withdraw.