Guatemalan court examines FTA appeal
Guatemal Court Examines FTA Appeal
Guatemala City, Mar 18 2006 (Prensa Latina) Guatemalan organizations described the Constitutional Court ruling to give leave to an appeal against a free trade agreement (FTA) with the US as a firm step to defend the nation’s interests.
"This means people’s actions have taken the FTA to the dock," said National Struggle Front leader Roberto Madriz, terming it a historic deed ensured by unity and alliance, even among sectors such as small and median entrepreneurs, who had remained separated from people.
He referred to the United Nations Development Program report, which said the FTA would have a negative impact on Guatemala’s food if the government did not take a series of measures before its implementation.
The FTA will bring unemployment and will affect 500,000 families presently living on corn, as their production will be replaced by generic products, according to Madriz.
He also assured the government will lose over 600 million dollars given tax exemptions on US products, one year after the accord is effective.
The Guatemalan Constitutional Court confirmed it will start hearings, consultations and analyzes on the appeal against the FTA social organizations lodged in a huge march held on February 24.
Public bodies, Guatemalan President Oscar Berger and people’s and social organizations will be summoned for the hearing.
