latin american princesa {LAP}

Oxfam calls the bluff of le président americain Sarkozy. In a press release, (in French) Sébastien Fourmy, spokesperson for Oxfam France, calls Sarkozy’s pledge to double food aid “manufactured” and France’s development policies, at best “incoherent”, at worst, “hypocritical”. He points to France’s unclear support of the EU’s unfair trade agreements (EPAs) with Africa and Caribbean nations, quasi-imposed by the European Commission, and to the drop in aid in 2007 as a percentage of gross national income (0.4%).

For the latest on the EPAs see TRADE-MALAWI: ”If EPAs Are So Good, Why Force Us to Sign?”:

Mutharika went as far as to accuse the EU of “imperialism”.

He was critical of the EU’s stance that EPA signatories will be assisted with money from the European Development Fund (EDF).

“This is imperialism by the EU which we must fight against because the EDF funding has nothing to do with EPA conditionalities. They are doing this in order to punish those that who are not signing their agreements. Now, if the agreement is so good, why do they have to force people to sign?’” asked Mutharika.

I think one of the most frustrating things for me while living in Europe was listening to people exclaim the greatness of Europe (rolling my eyes) and complain about the U.S. The ease with which many Europeans ignore their history of imperialism and complicity in the destruction of the third world is astounding to say the least. The ease with which they ignore the EU’s attempts to further strangle the third world is just another example of the Eurocentric arrogance of today’s neo-imperialism.

I love the way Tetteh Hormeku discusses the free trade negotiations in IPS: Q&A: “The EU Is a Bandit in Trade Negotiations”

IPS: The EU constantly points out that it is the largest aid donor in the world. So the picture you paint of the EU would come as a shock to Europeans who believe it is trying to help developing countries.

TH (holding a beer bottle): People who believe that, have too much faith in European institutions. The EU is a bandit in international negotiations. It is no different to the Americans. Or the only difference is that the Americans say ”I want your beer, baby, and if you do not give it to me, I’m gonna shoot you”. The Europeans say ”I want your beer because it is in your own interests to give it to me”.

Tja, blind faith, brainwashed Europeans (not just Americans are brainwashed): wouldn’t it be better to stop putting down the US and make yourself useful by doing something about your own governments’ attempts to continue raping the developing world? Put down your beer. Put down your wine. And take some action. Or maybe you are really busy trying to stop US imperialism so you can control it all to yourselves?

Ugh, I so can’t stand hypocrisy.

I was disappointed with the Body Shop queen for selling her ethical business to L’Oreal who continues to test cosmetics on animals and was recently fined for racial discrimination. But Anita Roddick was a champion for environmental and human rights issues and her sudden death is a shock. I hope her work will live on. She is an example, not only for women but also for men, about the power of compassion in business.

I personally experienced the trickle down effect of the Body Shop philosophy in Mexico in 2005. In Mazunte, on the west coast of Mexico, the locals are using plants and herbs from the area to create cosmetics and beauty products. Trained by the Body Shop, who also partially provided start-up capital, the Natural Cosmetics Factory is a fair trade and eco-business success story. This endeavor replaces local incomes once derived from the turtle industry. The turtle slaughterhouse, now closed by environmental policy, was the only employer.

I still worry about the L’Oreal ownership, but I hope that respect for Anita’s philosophy and practices continues on in her memory.