Gephardt announces support for IMF

[Robert Weissman <rob@essential.org>]

In an interview in today's (May 28) Congress Daily, Minority Leader
Richard Gephardt urged the business community to deal with Democrats
rather than Republicans on trade and related policy issues.
   	On trade, Gephardt said, "In an odd way I think the business
community is beginning to understand that there is a large group
of Democrats who have certain views on trade which are not
contradictory with their views." Gephardt explained that he and this
"large group of Democrats" want fair trade -- making progress on human
workers' rights. He contrasted the Dems to "isolationist" Republicans.
	He specifically mentioned the IMF as an example of this, making
the point that Democrats like him support the IMF, while many Republicans
are highly suspicious and critical of the institution.
	For those of you who are multi-issue oriented, you'll be
interested to know that he announced his support for China joining the WTO
(arguing that the US would maintain leverage on human rights
questions because it could later force China out). 
	He also asserted that business interests "appropriately" insist on
taking up intellectual property and capital in trade agreements. This
comment was by way of arguing that its also appropriate to include such
non-trade-specific issues in trade agreements as human rights.

Robert Weissman
Essential Information			|   Internet:	rob@essential.org