ISLAMABAD, April 20: As many as 243 civil society organisations (CSOs) from 90 developing countries, including Pakistan, have sent a joint letter to the US Congress requesting for rejection of a proposal to give President Bush new fast track authority to push WTO escalation via the Doha round.

The letter, a copy of which was released here by Actionaid Pakistan, urged the US Congress to reject pressure by US corporate giants and other WTO proponents to renew the fast track for WTO negotiations. The US Congress can take a key step towards restoring the standing of the US as a true multilateral leader in the international community.

"We urge you to reject pressure to renew fast track for the WTO, and instead work together with your trading partners and global civil society for a new multilateral trade system that benefits all of us," the letter added.

Because of the past failed record of the WTO, the projections for future damage, and concerns about the serious anti-development implications of the current negotiations, the Doha Round must be suspended permanently, the letter suggested.

The continuous intransigence of rich countries and their corporates’ greed has turned the Doha Development Round into Doha Deception Round.

Estimates from Unctad, the World Bank and from various organisations reveal that the poor nations would be net losers if the current package gets finalised as a deal.

The trade distorting farm subsidies would continue in rich countries through hidden boxes and their industrial and services companies would ruin the local firms in poor countries.

Earlier, this week farmers protest in Lahore disapproved government preference of agricultural exports over farmers’ protection in the WTO negotiations." said Aftab Alam Khan, Head of ActionAid International Trade Justice Campaign.