Subject:  Sample Questions on the MAI and Social Development (fwd)
Date:     Sun, 22 Feb 1998 085156 -0600 (CST)
From:     "Roy L. Beavers" <rbeavers@llion.org>
To:       emfguru@hotmail.com
--------------------------------------------------

Hi everybody:

I like question #9, below!!!  Something for somebody to ask at the
Congressional hearing.....

Cheerio......

Roy Beavers (EMFguru)
rbeavers@llion.org..............http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html
................................It is better to light a single candle ...
than to curse the darkness...............................................

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 22 Feb 1998 22:10:52 +1100
From: Kerrie Christian 
Subject: Sample Questions on the MAI and Social Development

>Return-Path: enviropoet@hotmail.com
>X-Originating-IP: [130.157.36.213]
>From: "Pia Jensen" 
>To: kcact@wollongong.starway.net.au
>Subject: Sample Questions on the MAI and Social Development
>Date: Sat, 21 Feb 1998 18:19:05 PST
>
>Hi Kerrie,
>Hope all of this fwd'd info on the MAI is helpful. And thanks again for 
>the European Union info on hi tech/political control. Fascinating. 
>Wonder now why one should even bother trying to do right by the people.
>
>
>Pia
>
>
>>Date:  Wed, 18 Feb 1998 08:45:42 -0500
>>From: ad hoc working group on the mai 
>>Sample Questions About the Multilateral Agreement on Investment
>>Raised at the Commission for Social Development *
>>
>>1. What has the government done to inform the public, social 
>development policy-makers and elected officials at all levels of MAI 
>negotiations and seek input?  How will MAI affect the rights of people 
>and communities to participate in decisions that affect their lives?
>>
>>2.  Has a social impact assessment been done of MAI?  Whose interests 
>are being protected and whose interests are being hurt by MAI?  What 
>will be the impact on women?  on the lives and health of people living 
>in underdeveloped regions of countries?
>>
>>3. What reservations is the government asking for to protect our 
>national and local interests? Are they limited to protection of certain 
>existing laws or do they extend to the right to regulate
>>freely in the future?
>>
>>4. Has the government performed assessments of the MAI's likely
>>effects on the environment, workers, women, the poor and the 
>unemployed?  If so, were public comments sought in this process and are 
>the assessments available to the public?
>>
>>5. Have regulatory agencies such as the environmental, labor and status 
>of women ministries been involved in developing the
>>government's negotiating position? If so, which ones?
>>
>>6. (for non-OECD countries): Would signing the MAI give the OECD 
>countries an incentive to continue to negotiate agreements without 
>allowing us a seat at the bargaining table?
>>
>>    (for OECD countries): Will pressing developing countries to sign 
>the MAI undercut the efforts of our overseas development assistance and 
>other forms of cooperation with non-OECD
>>countries? Is it the government's position that it is appropriate to 
>negotiate international treaties affecting all countries without 
>allowing all countries to participate?
>>
>>7. Wouldn't the 20 year withdrawal period restrict our nation's ability 
>to meet the needs of our population? Why does the MAI have such an 
>extended withdrawal period when most international
>>treaties allow 6 months notice to withdraw?
>>
>>8. How will national governments ensure equality and social development 
>if they are not allowed to protect their vulnerable citizens' new 
>businesses and jobs from foreign investments?  Why
>>would governments give corporations the right to sue them for acting in 
>the interests of and in full support of local citizens?
>>
>>9. Why is it that measures to protect corporate investors are 
>enforceable, but the environmental and labor provisions are non-binding? 
>What is the government's position on requiring
>>binding environmental and labor standards in the MAI?
>>
>>10. What does MAI mean by discrimination? how does that differ
>>from our definition as people interested in social development?
>>How does protection against corporate discrimination affect the
>>marginalised and vulnerable individuals and groups in society?
>>
>>====
>>
>>* Revised from questions developed by Friends of the Earth
>
>
>
>




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Reprinted with permission of Roy Beavers, http://www.feb.se/EMF-L/EMF-L.html