A panel of students, activists and professors at the University of Miami said Friday that the negotiation process of the proposed hemisphere-wide free trade agreement is ``completely undemocratic.''
During a discussion on the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) titled ''Civil Disobedience, Civil Rights and the Role of a University in a Free Society,'' panelists said groups that support issues such as human rights, the environment and civil liberties have not been included in the FTAA negotiations.
''We go to the streets because there is no seat on the table,'' said activist Rick Spisak of Miami for Peace.
According to Max Rameau, an anti-FTAA activist with the Miami Workers Center, only big-business groups will be given the opportunity to meet with the 34 trade ministers set to negotiate the trade agreement in Miami on Nov. 17-21.
''These negotiations are a sham,'' Rameau said. ``This will be the largest demonstration in the history of South Florida.''
Ambassador Luis Lauredo, executive director of the Miami Ministerial Meeting, said assertions about unfair negotiations are untrue and that those who oppose the agreement will have access to the negotiations.
''This is a completely open process,'' Lauredo said in an interview. ``Never in history has civil society had such ample opportunity to access trade negotiations. They will have exactly the same time, up to the minute, with the ministers as the business forum.''
Recalling her previous experience at World Trade Organization protests, Argentine activist Martina Mafalda said she expects undercover police officers to try to incite violence.
''That is utterly ridiculous,'' said Det. Delrish Moss, a police spokesman. ``Law enforcement wants nothing more than to have a peaceful event. It would be ridiculous to create work for ourselves.''
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