NEWS RELEASE, 11/23/98 Media Advisory regarding conference, "Alternatives for the Americas" at UC Berkeley

By Janet Gilmore, Public Affairs

BERKELEY -- MEDIA ADVISORY WHAT: "Alternatives for the Americas: A Dialogue," an historic conference at the University of California, Berkeley, bringing together U.S. Congressional leaders and key political figures from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, El Salvador and Mexico. The Latin American political leaders will meet with U.S. officials to discuss global trade issues and their bearing on the Americas. The discussion will include labor and environmental concerns surrounding trade issues; possible expansion of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA); and worries about global economic conditions and the role of the International Monetary Fund in resolving world financial problems. WHEN: Friday, Dec. 4, 1998, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. WHERE: Barrows Hall, 8th floor, Lipman Room, University of California, Berkeley. WHO: Argentina: Dante Caputo, Member of Congress, Former Foreign Minister Rodolfo Terragno, Member of Congress, Former president of the Civic Radical Union, Member of the political coalition, Alianza Brazil: Ciro Ferreira Gomes, Former Governor of Ceara, Former Minister of Finance, Presidential candidate in October 1998 elections Roberto Mangabeira Unger, Harvard University law professor, Brazil native on sabbatical in Brazil United States: David E. Bonior (D-Michigan), Democratic Whip, Second Ranking Democrat, U.S. House of Representatives Xavier Becerra (D-California), Member of U.S.Congress, Chair, Hispanic Caucus Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Member of U.S. Congress William D. Delahunt (D-Massachusetts), Member of U.S. Congress Harley Shaiken, UC Berkeley professor, Director, Center for Latin American Studies, UC Berkeley Chile: Carlos Ominami, Senator and former Minister of Economics, Socialist Party Genaro Arriagada, Ambassador to the United States, Christian Democratic Party El Salvador: Facundo Guardado, President of the FMLN political party, Current Presidential candidate Mexico: Vicente Fox Quesada, Current Presidential candidate Governor of Guanajuato, Member of the PAN political party Amalia Garcia, Senator, Member of the PRD political party Adolfo Aguilar Zinser, Senator, Independent Jorge G. Castaneda, Professor of Political Science, New York University, National Autonomous University of Mexico. NOTE: UC Berkeley Chancellor Robert M. Berdahl will open the conference with a brief welcome. The first panel discussion, "Mexican Economic Integration: What Works, What Doesn't, What to Fix," will begin at 9:15 a.m. The second and final panel session, "Policies for A New Social Agenda," will begin at 11:30 a.m. Various UC Berkeley professors will lead the discussions, including faculty from political science, sociology, journalism, ethnic studies and public policy. For more information, contact Isaac Mankita at the Center for Latin American Studies (510) 642-3254.