Dear Commissioner,

Thank you for coming to our ship “Rainbow Warrior. We are proud and pleased to have you here. We are grateful that you have taken out time from your busy schedule to come here and discuss with witnesses from all around the world the effects of globalised trade on the daily life of millions.

I want to take this opportunity to express our appreciation for the leadership the European Union has taken on environmental issues. Let’s face it, you need less than the fingers of one hand to count the leaders on the world stage. The EU is one, and is often the best champion for the environment.

The EU has been a strong ally of developing countries, when the Basel Convention was negotiated and signed. The Stockholm Treaty banning the most dangerous poisonous materials was won through the EU and this summer the EU stood up and saved the Kyoto Protocol from being wrecked by the United States.

Here in Doha, however, we are extremely worried. We literally fear that the environment will be sold out by the EU.

Just to avoid any misunderstanding. This is not about rich Westerners pushing their envrionmental hobbyhorses. It is not choice between environmental protection and the interest of poor countries.

Climate change will hit developing countries most. Had we used the precautionary principle, BSE would probably not have spread around the world. Preventing patenting of seeds allows local farmers to use the regrow the knowledge and experience of previous generations.

Controlling the trade in toxic wastes has helped to save lives in the shipbreaking industry in India and Pakistan. The proceeds from deforestation in Africa end up in Swiss bank accounts or are converted into Kalashnikovs

The agenda of the WTO seems to be: “Let’s first get rich, and then deal with the rest.”

It is a flawed concept. The wealth is not shared and it will not be shared by itself. And if we kill the environment now, all the money of the world will not allow us to buy it back from god.

Millions around the world know this, and they depend on you. Our common future is at stakes. The choice is yours.