"Send Helen The Message: Don't Destroy The Country"
Tino Rangatiratanga group Aotearoa Educators [AE!] says that despite the government's claims that they will start
consultations regarding a trade and investment deal with Hong Kong the answer will still be 'no' to deals which sell off
the country, its assets and dispossesses everyone.
"We encourage everyone to send Helen Clark a clear message, don't destroy the country!" Says [AE!] spokesperson Waiariki
Grace.
Helen Clark yesterday released details that government bureaucrats have already decided upon an "Understanding" with
Hong Kong bureaucrats.
"The Agreement is nothing new" says Mr Grace, "we have seen it all before, from the Multilateral Agreement on Investment
(MAI) to the Singapore Deal which was deviously passed last year. Helen Clark has already set her agenda, any
'consultation' at this stage is merely to make this scam of a process appear legitimate".
In his speech to welcome Helen Clark to Hong Kong, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong SAR made some alarming statements.
He describes Hong Kong as the "gateway" to Mainland China. He says, "many multinational corporations have already
positioned themselves in Hong Kong for entering the Mainland's markets".
"Multinational corporations can be extremely powerful, and with a deal, like the one Helen Clark intends to pursue,
Aotearoa is wide open for swamping by companies with the money, basically, to take over and put out of business much of
our private sector" says Mr Grace.
Mr Tung says he hopes that "more New Zealand companies would come to Hong Kong or use Hong Kong as a springboard into
the Mainland of China". While this may be true the menacing point about these statements is that the reverse is no also
true. Hong Kong and Chinese companies, with Hong Kong and Chinese labour standards, which have barely changed over the
past 10 years, can use Hong Kong as a "springboard" to enter Aotearoa New Zealand. "We stand for protecting Aotearoa
from corporate exploitation" says Mr Grace, " and we will be protesting this latest affront to all of those living in
Aotearoa. We encourage everyone to make clear statements to Helen Clark that we all believe in this country and do not
want it destroyed".
Aotearoa Educators [AE!] will be joining other like minded people on May 1 to protest at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and Trade at 4:45pm.
We encourage all those who can attend to come along and make yourself be heard.
Stop the Hong Kong "Free" Trade Agreement May 1 2001 4:45pm 40 The Terrace Wellington
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