But while demonstrators struggled to make their voices heard outside, delegates from 34 nations throughout the Americas came to the realization inside that a comprehensive FTAA treaty, along the lines of the North American Free Trade Agreement, was impossible. So negotiators ended their summit meeting a day early and announced a narrow framework -- dubbed "FTAA Lite" -- which excluded contentious issues such as agricultural tariffs, intellectual property and rules governing foreign investment. Brazil, with support from many nations in Latin America, blocked Washington's blueprint which demanded that governments surrender their sovereignty to multi-national corporations and their quest to maximize profit.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Karen Hansen Kuhn, International Coordinator of the Alliance for Responsible Trade who was in Miami for the FTAA summit meeting. She discusses the widespread opposition to the Washington driven FTAA and why the result of this summit is a victory for those who oppose corporate-led globalization.

Contact the Alliance by calling (202) 898-1566 or visit their website at www.art-us.org

Related links:

• "Fragments of the Future: The FTAA in Miami," by Rebecca Solnit, TomDispatch.com, Nov. 25, 2003
• "The War on Dissent:Heavy-handed Police and Propaganda Tactics Brought Baghdad to Miami," by Naomi Klein, Toronto Globe & Mail, Nov. 25, 2003
• "FTAA Indymedia Reports On Repression" FTAA Indymedia, Nov.24, 2003
• "FBI Targets Antiwar Activists," by Eric Lichtblau, New York Times, Nov. 23, 2003
• "Tom Hayden: Police Repression In Miami," ZNet, Nov. 23, 2003
• "FTAA Summit in Miami Greeted by Massive Protests Opposing Anti-Democratic Corporate Agenda for the Americas,"Between The Lines interview with George Naylor, Week Ending Nov. 28, 2003

Seniors will get a drug discount card to use in 2004 and 2005, with full benefits beginning in 2006. Beneficiaries must pay $750 a year in premiums and deductibles before starting to save any money on prescriptions. Then insurance would cover three-quarters of drug costs up to $2,250. Medicare would then pay nothing more until the beneficiary paid $3,600 out of pocket.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Gail Shearer, director of health policy analysis for Consumer's Union, just before final passage of the measure. She explains why her group opposed the legislation, and what seniors can expect down the line with this new bill signed into law.

For more information, call (202) 462-6262 or visit the group's website at www.consumersunion.org

Related links

• "AARP Faces Faces Revolt over Medicare Bill," by The Associated Press, Nov. 26, 2003
• "Some Experts Foresee Revolt by Elderly Over Drug Benefits," by Gardiner Harris, New York Times, Nov. 26, 2003
• "Senate OKs Sweeping Overhaul of Medicare," by James Gerstenzang, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 25, 2003
• "Many Retirees Are Opposed to Drug Proposal," by Scott Martelle and John J. Goldman, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 25, 2003. Frustration is also growing with seniors' chief lobbying group, which backs the plan. 'AARP has betrayed us,' says one man.
• "Senate OKs Sweeping Overhaul of Medicare," by James Gerstenzang, Los Angeles Times, Nov. 25, 2003. GOP turns Medicare into HMO.
• "Divided House Approves Expansion of Medicare," by Robert Pear and Robin Toner, The New York Times, Nov. 22, 2003. GOP rams bad Medicare bill in the middle of the night.
• "AARP Ad Touts Prescription Drug Bill," by The Associated Press, Nov. 18, 2003. Democrats attack AARP for supporting Medicare bill.

This week's summary
of under-reported news

Compiled by Bob Nixon

• Greenpeace faces dual attacks from the United Nation's International Maritime Organisation and U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft. ("Greenpeace under attack by U.N. and U.S.," by Jim Lobe, OneWorld.net, Nov. 18, 2003)
• Over the past century, more than 100,000 Native American children have been forced to attend government-run Christian boarding schools, which critics accuse of perpetrating abuse and cultural genocide. ("Soul Wound," Amnesty Now, Summer 2003)
• Children's use of prescription drugs has grown by 30 percent since 1997, with uncertain health consequences. ("Doping Kids," by Helen Cordes, Mother Jones, September/October 2003.)
  

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Credits:
Senior news editor: Bob Nixon
Program narration: Sasha Summer Cousineau
News reader: Denise Manzari
Segment producer: Melinda Tuhus
Distribution: Anna Manzo, Harry Minot, Jeff Yates
Senior Web editor/producer: Anna Manzo
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Web editors: Bill Cosentino and Hank Hoffman
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