Panamanians protest US trade deal
Panamanians Protest US Trade Deal
Panama, Jun 28 2007 (Prensa Latina) — Groups of students, professionals, and unions in Panama are protesting the signing Thursday of a free trade agreement with the US, for considering it an affront to the country s sovereignty and dignity.
The protesters will be rallying in front of the provincial headquarters of the ministry of trade and industry, as summoned by the National Agricultural Organization of Panama (ONAGRO) and the National Front for the Defense of Economic and Social Rights (FRENADESO).
FRENADESO and ONAGRO denounced in a joint release that the agreement with the US will mean the end of the national industry and agriculture, bring about more unemployment, flight of capital, and the loss of social and labor rights, among other problems.
That proposal will be like a stabbing for the national farming sector, and attempts against the people s food security, the text highlighted.
Competition between two considerably different economies is impossible, the groups stressed.
