[Ip-health] Bangkok Post: Protests force brief halt to trade talks

[Mike Palmedo]

http://www.bangkokpost.com/News/11Jan2006_news51.php

Protests force brief halt to trade talks - Govt: Won't sign any deal
harming country

January 11, 2006
Bangkok Post

Chiang Mai - Negotiations on the Thai-US free trade area (FTA) pact were
forced to halt briefly yesterday as protesters used any means they could
to disrupt the talks.

In a bid to appease the 8,000 anti-free trade groups taking to the
streets in the northern city for a second day, the government pledged
not to sign a deal that would put Thailand at a disadvantage.

The leader of the US negotiating team, acting US trade representative
Barbara Weisel, will fly to Bangkok from Chiang Mai today to meet with
Kraisak Choonhavan, chairman of the Senate committee on foreign affairs,
and key opposition leaders from the Democrat party.

About 100 protesters clashed with police in front of the Sheraton Chiang
Mai Hotel where negotiations were taking place. The protesters demanded
talks with Thai chief negotiator Nitya Pibulsonggram.

Their calls forced the meeting to adjourn for 10 minutes while Mr Nitya
tried to soothe their anger, telling them his team was doing its best
for the country.

"We have been assigned by the government to negotiate in the country's
best interests, which is the most important mission for us. But we can't
stop the negotiations," he said.

Mr Nitya, a former Thai ambassador to the US, said he was ready to
listen to their concerns and suggested the protesters list them in writing.

The protesters, however, were not satisfied and insisted the FTA
negotiations be scrapped.

"Thank you very much Mr Nitya for coming to meet us. But what you said
to us means that you have never listened to our concerns. We have used
all channels to express our voice. But unfortunately you have not heard
us," said Nimit Tienudom, director of Aids Access Foundation.

More than 300 protesters prostrated themselves on the street on the way
to the meeting venue, praying for sacred spirits to protect the country
from the FTA. There was also a confrontation between protesters and the
1,000 police deployed to secure the meeting venue, with some protesters
slightly injured.

About 50 protesters also swam across the Ping river to invade the
Sheraton hotel before they were blocked by police.

The sixth round of the talks will end on Friday. Today will see the
controversial patent protection on drugs issue discussed.

A source from the Thai delegation said the two countries will not
conclude an FTA pact this time.

"I think the Thai side will express their concerns about drug patents,
which inevitably will impact Thai drug consumers. Meanwhile, the US will
let us know what they want," said the source.

The next round of negotiations will be in the United States.

In Loei, where he was attending a cabinet meeting, Prime Minister
Thaksin Shinawatra told the Thai delegates in the FTA negotiations to
put national interests first and listen to protesters' suggestions.

"If a deal puts the country at a disadvantage, we'll not sign it. And
we'll listen to the complaints of the protest groups," said Mr Thaksin.

Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said
details of the trade talks would be disclosed to the public. He promised
to submit to parliament for consideration any legal amendments demanded
by the FTA expected to be concluded this year.

"If parliament doesn't agree with the proposals, that's it. We will
follow the majority vote. Every party concerned will have a say in the
process," he said.

Senator Kraisak reiterated his decision to petition the Constitution
Court to rule on the pact, saying he did not want a handful of people to
decide the fate of the country. The planned petition is likely to be
lodged through the Office of the Ombudsman.

Democrat leader Abhisit Vejjajiva said the party would submit a petition
against the pact to the US after talks with the US chief negotiator.

Meanwhile, Apiradee Tuntraporn, director-general of the Trade
Negotiation Department, said that the US initially agreed to lower
tariffs by 78%, or about US3 million per year, while Thailand would
reduce tariffs by 75%.

Lists of goods slated for tax reductions would be exchanged in talks on
Feb 4, she said.


--
Mike Palmedo
Research and Web
Consumer Project on Technology
T =96 202-332-2670
F =96 202-332-2673
mpalmedo@cptech.org