WATER ABLAZE - Patagonia Sin Represas

e successfully continued – which is tantamount to saying that further
liberalisation and privatisation measures will be necessary in order to
help the Third World. This was a slap in the face for the majority of
WSF participants, who are demanding that the power of the WTO and
its resolutions be reduced or abolished altogether. My concern is that
incidents involving interference like this may accumulate and distort
the original intention of the WSF beyond all recognition.
The events described here are not isolated cases. It would be
practically impossible for ordinary citizens, no matter how active, to
identify every single entanglement which exists worldwide between
NGOs, politicians and the business sector. What members of large
organisations and initiatives can do, however, is examine the strategic
targets very critically and, if need be, take action against clandestine
measures to misuse the organisation or initiative in question for
incompatible purposes. It is crucial to recognise which goals are
being pursued. Maintaining financial independence – and having the
courage to work within the limits of a very tight budget – is the only
way to prevent the exertion of unwanted influence and the muzzling
of free speech.
145