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Monday, May 19, 2003
Bush asked to convince Arroyo to ban Bt. corn
ANDREW Haralam, the former US Peace Corps volunteer who entered the 10th day of his hunger strike at the Malcom Square Sunday against Bt corn, has written US President George W. Bush to convince President Arroyo to order a moratorium on the distribution of the GMO-type product in the country.
Arroyo was scheduled to meet Bush in Washington last night after her visit to the Filipino community in California.
Haralam, in a one-page letter to Bush, told him that Malacaņang has approved the commercial release of Bt corn in the Philippines and is expected to distribute the GMO in few short weeks.
The 29-year-old environmental activist told Bush that his protest in Baguio against Bt corn has two major components. First, he said that his hunger strike is in support of other Filipino environmental activists who are also holding hunger strike in front of the Department of Agriculture office in Manila since April 22.
The hunger strike, he added, is also directed to Bush, the US government and capitalist corporations like Monsato, the supplier of Bt corn.
"I've chosen you and Monsato, for the value impact. An American expatriate protesting an American company and its government contains more power than the other options," Haralam said.
Haralam told Bush that Arroyo, who vowed not to run in the 2004 polls, would undoubtedly leave on high note if she heeds the call of farmers and environmentalists opposing the commercialization and distribution of GMO-type products in the country.
Haralam, who was forced to resign as a peace corps member following his protest, said, "I was confident with my decision and was aware of my decisions. I am fully prepared to accept the repercussions of my actions. Are you (Bush) and GMA prepared to accept yours? At this point there is only one decision which makes sense..."
He earlier claimed that possible detrimental effects of the genetically modified organism-product to the environment include agriculture homogenization and immunization of target pests.
He also warned that Bt corn could cause stomach and colon cancer, birth defects and neurodevelopment disorders. HFP
(May 19, 2003 issue)
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