Oct 17, 2006

http://www.judicialwatch.org/6003.shtml

New “Security and Prosperity Partnership” Documents Detail Pandemic Influenza and E-Commerce Working Groups

16 U.S. Government Agencies Work to “Harmonize” Policies with Mexico & Canada


(Washington, DC) -- Judicial Watch, the public interest organization that promotes transparency, accountability and integrity in government, politics and the law, today released new records obtained under the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) from the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce concerning the “Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America.”

On March 23, 2005, heads of government Vincente Fox, George W. Bush, and Paul Martin launched the North American partnership at a meeting in Waco, Texas, with the expressed goal of “a safer, more prosperous North America.” Critics, however, maintain the partnership may ultimately undermine U.S. sovereignty by establishing a “North American Union,” with open borders and a common currency.

These newly released documents identify the existence of a North American Pandemic Influenza Working Group. The documented purpose of the working group is to plan for a coordinated response to an outbreak of influenza. The working group is organized into “preparedness planning focal points,” that include: “Travel and border issues,” “Management of foreign nationals,” “Stockpiles and material support,” “Surveillance and laboratory,” “Information sharing and communications,” and “Personnel.”

Additional records identify the U.S., Canadian and Mexican membership of the partnership’s “Working Group on Electronic Commerce, Information and Communications Technologies.” Twenty-three members of the working group (from all three nations) met for two hours on April 25, 2005 (just one month following the creation of the partnership) in the offices of the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington, DC, according to the newly released records obtained by Judicial Watch.

The activities of the partnership touch on nearly every aspect of the lives of American citizens, including commerce, travel, security, health, energy, and the environment.

“The Bush administration has apparently committed significant federal resources to this new North American partnership. But to date there has not been much public or congressional scrutiny of the Security and Prosperity Partnership. So we hope to ensure some measure of accountability through the release of these documents,” stated Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

Documents are available online at www.JudicialWatch.org

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Select from the list below to view newly released SPP Documents

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Working Group on Electronic Commerce - Members
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Working Group on Electronic Commerce - Meeting April 2005
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Working Group on Pandemic Influenza Planning Preparedness

Click here to view previously released SPP documents