We need to be aware & spread the awareness that :

The Industry Executives & Politicians have there own limitations due to which the public opinion developed can sometimes be misleading. A good example is Asbestos.

Major Alternatives of Asbestos are Plastics and Metals which are over 200 times more hazardous!!

It was probably realized by Industry leaders & developed countries like Canada, US and EU that the competition from developing countries with better resources in Asbestos like - Russia, Brazil, Zimbabwe, Africa, China, India etc. were unmatchable.

The case thus presented was always incomplete (like at the WTO) , so as to lose the case & spread Public Scare and thus kill Asbestos world over!!

WTO is obviously under tremendous Public & Political Pressure and may be forced to give an Unfair Judgment.

An amicus curaie (with scientific analysis) has been filed by us at the WTO , but they may need internal strength or external pressure to take it seriously.

At the WTO Roundtable Conference (during the UN summit 26-30th June) on Trade and Sustainable Development : I briefly presented the above case and requested for the solution?

The point was well accepted & went undisputed and one of the Panelists advised that as our submission has been accepted at the WTO , we have now an open opportunity to compete even at the WTO. It is after all Survival of the fittest as per Darwin.

Some senior WTO officials / members & Senior UN representatives themselves suggested that:

1. Your case / submission is very strong and stunning! and we wish that you can somehow build pressure on the Panel to give it serious consideration.

2. You may even use the Press.

3. We are impressed with your organisation and the efforts and we wish we can associate with you and such organisations in future too.

4. However , the Panel & WTO is under tremendous Political & Public pressure to give an Anti Asbestos judgement.

5. It clearly appears that Canada is not too keen to win the case ;

i) As there Industry is not able to commercially compete?
ii) As they get a bad name around the World if they continue business in Asbestos?
iii) Because the case was done to pacify the Quebec miners/labour involved?
iv) It makes more sense for the Industry to claim heavy compensations from the govt. on such forced closure.

6. All the previous 201 Trade Dispute judgements have gone in the favour of Trade and the world / people are looking at this case very carefully.

7. If this also goes in favour of trade, people will be upset and will lose faith in the Integrity of WTO!!

8. So chances are that your submission may not be given sufficient importance, unless appropriate pressure is built on the Panel and WTO, which is certainly possible though difficult.

Top Government Officials, NGOs, Educational Institutes, Press, even Anti Asbestos leaders were surprised with our presentation and were very keen to review the facts about Asbestos.

Conclusion

The awareness about Asbestos being much safer than its alternatives is virtually nil amongst all people, including the “experts”. This awareness needs to be spread and enthusiasm created for Asbestos a s a p. And the primary targets for this should be:

1. Press : US, Canada, EU, Brazil, concerned developing countries
2. Canada Government
3. WTO Panel for the Case.
4. Brazil & Zimbabwe Government
5. Indian Govt. for their support / backing.
6. EC
7. Educational Institutions

Urgent Requirements to do the above :

1. Pressure on Canada to urge WTO to give serious importance to our submission.
2. PR agency (Fully International)
3. Strong National & International body to regulate the Crusade.

Please advise and do needful a s a p.
Regards

Joy Manglani
(B Tech, Chem, IIT)
(Director)
ONE Only Nature Endures

Encl. Copy of our Amicus Curiae submitted to WTO

(Please contact for advising us / for more scientific or other details)

* Case No. WT / DS / 135 : Name : European Communities : Measures affecting Asbestos and Products Containing Asbestos

ONE is a self reliant NGO working closely with the Corporate, Government, Institutes of Technology and the public. Presently focusing in the area of Water & Sanitation. We aim to promote appropriate technologies by synergising latent potentials and thereby create self-reliance and public enthusiasm in this field.