What the heck is MAI

(Continued from page 5)

ernment from giving special incentives to Canadian entre- preneurs, while limiting many job creation programs.

For these reasons, and many others, critics ofthe MAI say it is nothing less than “a charter of rights and freedoms for corporations.” They say it must be stopped or else it will do massive damage to the ma- jority of the worlds citizens.

Proponents Arguments

Proponents of the MAI say the treaty is not a bid to entrench corporate power, but rather an attempt to regulate the arbitrary power of govern- ment. They say that there is too much red tape for inves- tors right now, and that the only way to ensure the growth of investment is to lock gov- ernments into agreements which allow for the free move- ment of capital.

The benefits ofthe MAI are clear, proponents say. For domestic corporations invest- ing abroad, the MAI will as- sure that they have maximum freedom and protection for their investments. By freeing international investment, pro- ponents of the MAI say that the treaty will ensure massive growth in investment of all

kinds. This will translate into new jobs and increased eco- nomic growth.

As for the “national treatment” provisions, propo- nents say that these will only ensure all investors are treated fairly and equally. Likewise, they argue the dispute settle- ment provisions -- which allow corporations to directly sue government -- will assure that all disputes over trade and in- vestment are settled ina equal and just manner.

Proponents of the MAI say globalization is inevitable, and that those countries that fail to participate in the proc- ess will be left behind. The admit that there are some prob- lems with process, and that some workers -- especially un- skilled ones -- may loose their jobs, but they say that in the long term, eliminating barriers to foreign investment will as- surea better live forall citizens of the planet. They say that the criticisms of the MAI are un- founded and opponents of the treaty are scare-mongers.

The need for public debate It is clear from the fore- going discussion that there will

remain sharp disagreements over the likely impact of the

r.Y..

MAI on living standards, in- come distribution, democracy, and the sovereignty of national and local governments. Oppo- nents believe that the agree- ment will have a negative im- pact in all of these areas, while proponents argue that it will contribute to worldwide eco- nomic growth without these unfavourable repercussions.

Given these sharply di- verging views, an extensive and ell-informed public debate on the issue is essential. That the public should be aware of the MAI and able to partici- pate in aconstructive dialogue about its implications for the country may be one of the few areas of agreement among the proposed pact’s supporters and critics.

In order to help get the ball rolling, there will be sur- veys set up across campus this week starting Tuesday. Stu- dents will be able to anony- mously state their opinion on the MAI. You can also visit the MAI information web site <http://www.islandnet.com/ ~ncfs/maisite> for neutral look at the MAI. For more of the opponents views, see MAI- Not at <http://mai.flora.org> and for more of the view, see the OECD at <http:/ /www.oecd.org.>.

From the Help Desk of Computer Services

email address

hel

pei.ca

Please email us with any computer related questions or concerns you may have. The office is located in Computer Services AVC 228S. Phone extension 0427. Office hours Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:00pm.

The Cadre +

31 March 1998

BY ALEX BUSTOS

VANCOUVER (CUP) — A University of British Co- lumbia student charged with one count of mischief has accused the Vancouver Police Department of wag- ing a war against social ac- tivists.

Jesse Scott, a 19-year- old philosophy major, was arrested March 22 for al- legedly scrawling a Royal Bank window with glass chalk during a rally in late January protesting student debt

Thearrest, which took place seven weeks after the January protest, was made at a Vancouver’s Canadian military drill hall just priorto an anti-war rally.

Scott says he believes the real purpose of the ar- rest was to scare off the anti-war protestors.

“My arrest was an act of intimidation,” he said. “It’s scary when [the po- lice] have information on you and can use it when they want.... It seems like a war on activists.”

But according to Anne Drennan, spokesperson for

partment, Scott’s arrest was due to chance rather than an orchestrated police cam-

gn.

On Jan. 28, Scott was one of 1,500 protesters in downtown Vancouver who participated in the National Day of Action against stu- dent debt.

“We had an officer videotaping the demo,” Drennan said, “which is

the Vancouver Police De- .

Vancouver police critized for treatment of activists

standard in these demon- strations.”

The videotape, she says, captured several protestors perpetrating acts of“vandalism.”

Seven weeks later, the officer who filmed the Day of Action protest spotted Scott at the drill hall and, after recognizing him as one of the protestors on the videotape, arrested him.

When asked why Scott wasn’t arrested earlier, Drennan replied, “There was no opportunity. There were over 1,000 people [at the January rally]. The of- ficer couldn’t get a chance to arrest him.”

This explanation doesn’t satisfy Milton Smith, the lawyer representing

Smith says the police

know full well the mischief charge will probably be thrown out of court. The purpose of the arrest, he continues, was not to win in court, but rather to scare off potential protestors. “It’s a way of subvert- ing the justice system,” he said. “[The police] use their powers to punish someone without going to trial for ex- ercising their right to exer- cise freedom of speech.”

Smith says he is also concerned with police film- ing protestors at rallies like the one last 5

_ “Tt’sincrediblethat our tax dollars are being used to

survey groups engaged in orgy hap Saas