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Article

18 Oct 2006

Author:
Mark Curtis, author of Goldrush, a report for Actionaid on business in the developing world, and Unpeople: Britain's Secret Human Rights Abuses, in Guardian [UK]

A real power struggle

Addressing overseas development without discussing the regulation of big business is like talking about malaria without mentioning mosquitoes. Yet New Labour's supposed commitment to eradicating global poverty does not even pretend to seek to rein in multinational corporations...Company abuses are increasing precisely when their commitment to "corporate social responsibility" has taken off...British governments always prioritise corporate interests in their foreign policies, but this has reached new depths under New Labour. The government has even intervened in the US legal process to stop British companies being sued in the US for human rights violations committed overseas. [refers to AngloGold Ashanti, Vedanta Resources, Monterrico Metals, Asia Energy]