The Times (UK)
September 24, 1999
From Charles Bremner in Paris
The frontline troops in a rising French revolt against American trade practices mustered in central Paris last night, sending a warning shot to Washington and their own Government.
Small farmers, leftwing politicians, union leaders and green activists united in a show of force to demand a halt to what is increasingly seen in France as an American-led drive to rob nations of their livelihood and identity under the banner of free trade.
The grassroots movement springs from old-fashioned French antipathy towards American methods, especially over food and entertainment. Seen from Paris, the anger over "globalisation" has the feel of a Luddite rural revolt at a time when the country is reaping the fruits of growth and booming exports. However, the simmering rebellion has caught the Government offguard and seems to be gathering momentum as a political force two months ahead of talks on a new world trade pact.
The spur was a series of protests by small farmers against outlets of the McDonald's restaurant giant in late August. The farmers were angry over American sanctions against French food imports, imposed in retaliation for Europe's ban on US hormone-fed beef.
To popular acclaim, the farmers have been calling for a national struggle against "le mal bouffe" (lousy grub), which they say is being foisted on France by American industrial interests. Jose BovT, the moustachioed hero of the peasant-farmers revolt, was the star at last night's Paris rally to denounce the World Trade Organisation (WTO) as a plot to "enslave political power permanently to the interests of transnational business".
Le Figaro said that the rebellion was "not folklore" but was the sign of growing determination by people to retain their sense of identity and quality of life. "Faced with the tyranny of modernity, the revolt invites the powerful to obey morality and good sense."
With public alarm growing over genetically modified crops and American-led "globalisation" of trade and culture, Jacques Chirac, the Gaullist President, and Lionel Jospin, the Socialist Prime Minister, are competing with tough postures ahead of the WTO negotiations in Seattle on November 30. M Jospin promised last week: "We will be extremely firm in the defence of our national interests and those of the European community. We will make sure that the WTO embraces the new problems of food safety and the environment."
M Jospin's stance is in part a response to growing discontent in his own leftwing camp over what is seen as his surrender to the principles of the "Anglo-Saxon" free market.
Taking a tough line at the United Nations this week, M Jospin
warned Washington that markets should not rule untrammelled and
world trade must be regulated for the benefit of all states.
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