Voice of anti-globalization in Seoul

One of the "giants" among non-government organizations currently in Seoul to attend the ASEM 2000 People's Forum is the president of the Association for the Taxation of Financial Transactions for the Aid of Citizens (ATTAC), Bernard Kasan.

Kasan, who is the executive editor of the monthly Le Monde Diplomatique, a branch of the Le Monde daily, as well as a professor at a research center belonging to eight universities in Paris, came into the world spotlight as an anti-globalization movement champion in 1998 with the establishment of ATTAC to oppose the high-handed financial speculations brought on by globalization.

On the evening Oct. 18, he agreed to an interview at the Seoul Plaza Hotel to discuss the current trend in the globalization and the role of ASEM. Giving an air of one befitting a literati, he spoke eloquently as he conveyed the anti-globalization message.

What does globalization mean to him? "There is a difference between globalization and internationalization,¡± he explained. ¡°Globalization is driven by money, especially speculative funds. The people of the world have become another target for the pursuit of profit. On the other hand, internationalization symbolizes social and cultural interchange and cooperation between nations. We oppose 'American' capitalism, which only considers profit over the demise of moral principles."

He also insisted that the World Trade Organization and the International Monetary Fund, which have become world financial giants, have promoted inequality of wealth through various investment and free-trade negotiations.

"Although I have always supported European unionization, the current European Union is nothing more than American-style capitalism, which promotes inequality. As such, I am opposed to it."

Is there an alternative?

"First, there needs to be an imposition of a tax (Tobin's tax -- a taxation method advocated by Yale University Professor James Tobin) on speculative funds. The free trade and financial globalization leads to economic instability and social discontent, and it is made worse by speculative funds. Also, the debts to the Third World need to be written off, and the Third World nations themselves must have solidarity for such."

Concerning the third ASEM, he seemed ambivalent. "The purpose of the ASEM is good. As Asia and Europe do not know one another well, there needs to be exchanges of culture and cooperation. However, it should not be centered around economy. As the economic potential and levels of Asia and Europe are unequal, Asia stands to suffer a loss from such association."

Concerning Korea, he had advice. "The interest payment for funds borrowed from the IMF only increases the debt and brings overbearing meddling by the IMF. Korea should establish solidarity with other nations such as Brazil that have received IMF funds and insist on paying back only the principle."

Kasan, who left for Paris on Oct. 19, urged NGOs to demonstrate. "If I had time to stay for the ASEM in Seoul, I would have joined anti-globalization demonstration with all the world's members of NGO's who attended the ASEM People's Forum."

Jung Young-Gwan yongari@donga.com