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Cancun journey
This morning it took two hours
to get from our downtown residence to the NGO center at the
Sierra Hotel. Security concerns have now meant that we have to
go downtown via the longest route possible, now the only entry
point to the hotel district of the WTO activity is a lengthy
roundabout, filled with traffic and very expensive...over twice
the cost previously of getting back and forth to our in-town
hotel...$200 pesos compared to $80 before. And the long trip
means lost time in the meetings for which we've come here. NCRLC
gave a presentation late September 11th to a largely European
constituency on the situation of concentration in agriculture in
the US, which was pared with a presentation on Peruvian coffee
concerns and those of cotton in West Africa...the commonality
involved was concentration in processing, retail...and their
impact on the prices producers receive. We are finding a similar
analysis from people with whom we've never been related or
connected before, helping create a more effective worldwide
solidarity... the host of the meeting, Bill Vorley from the
United Kingdom, graciously promoted NCRLC's partnership with the
Center of Concern in the Agribusines Accountability Initiative (www.agribusinessaccountability.org)
and the other effort of NCRLC (check our website:www.ncrlc.com).
Bob and I attended a session last evening on an alternative way
of looking at subsidies hosted by International Agricultural
Trade Policy Institute. It was an occasion for speaking with
many of our ngo partners informally as well as for cementing
some common perspectives. We also visited with Jim Hug and
Sister Maria Reilly of the Center of Concern, comparing notes on
what we've heard regarding various trends in the negotiations.
Today we're working on getting closer contacts with Via
Campesina, getting a briefing or two on the substance of
agriculture negotiations, and doing more networking. The weather
is hot and humid, we had a break in the weather yesterday with
some heavy rains. Best wishes, Brother Dave
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