Bush's Bullying Tactics Come Under Fire at WorldHealth Meeting

[protect freedom impeach bush now]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines03/1007-03.htm

Published on Tuesday, October 7, 2003 by the Inter Press Service
Bush's Global Gag Rule
U.S. Bullying Tactics Come Under Fire at Meet

by Marwaan Macan-Markar

BANGKOK - A conference on reproductive health began here Monday with U.S. President George W Bush being cast as a villain for his attempt to bully health clinics in the developing world to follow his conservative political agenda.

While some speakers did not specifically name the Bush White House as they warned about the dangers that Washington's policies pose for the Asia-Pacific - the denial of funding to groups that offer abortion-related services -- others were more direct.

The White House is trying to make up for what it cannot achieve domestically by pushing its policies overseas, Nancy Northup, president of the U.S.-based Center for Reproductive Health Rights, said in her address on the opening morning. ''In some Asian countries, groups have stopped performing abortions for fear of losing funding.''

Northup also drew attention to another course of action used by Washington to stamp its narrow reading of reproductive health in Asia-Pacific countries - having U.S. government delegations ''turn the clock back on reproductive rights'' at international conferences.


more.........