Venezuelan ambassadors meet to analysis effects of FTAA on Latin American interests

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Tuesday, June 24, 2003 By: David Coleman

Heads of Venezuelan diplomatic missions from North and Latin America as well as the Caribbean region are gathering in Caracas for a 2-day meeting to analyzing the effects of globalization and the negotiations initiated by Venezuela with the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Free Trade of the Americas (FTAA).

Deputy Foreign Minister (MRE) Arevalo Mendez Romero has told reporters that the seminar, organized by the MRE, will facilitate the design of a consolidated agenda for the National Executive on trade negotiations, including the participation of the Foreign Minister, the Ministry of Production & Commerce (MPC) and the President of the Republic ... we are assuming this as an important responsibility of State.”

“We must thoroughly examine the hidden agenda behind the FTAA with respect to geopolitical factors that are surfacing and which we cannot disregard,” Mendez Romero emphasized, referring to what is seen as obtrusive neo-colonialism on the part of the United States of America.

"The seminar will include the Minister Ramon Rosales from Production & Commerce (MPC) with the Deputy Minister of Industry and the president of Bancoex.   Central University of Venezuela Department of Latin American Studies Professor Dr. Gilberto Veneres and Attorney General’s Office representative Judith Valencia will also attend along with Venezuelan ambassadors to Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, the United States, Jamaica, and Trinidad & Tobago and Venezuela's permanent representatives at the Organization of American States (OAS) and the United Nations.