Belgium: Assange slams EU/US plans revealed in leaked TiSA documents

Wikileaks founder Julian Assange spoke about the release of 17 secret documents from the ongoing TiSA (Trade In Services Agreement) negotiations by the online whistle-blower groups, a massive trade agreement between the US, Europe and various multinationals, involving 75 percent of the European economy, during a video conference in the European Parliament in Brussels, Thursday. Assange explained how the trade deal, which covers almost every aspect of industry in Europe, does not have any protection for whistle-blowers, and only includes transparency that benefits multi-national corporations. He went on to hit out at European Commissioner for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship Viviane Reding's statement that "In today's world secrecy is over and transparency prevails, trade policy needs to inform citizens and take them on board," saying that the restructuring to European law under TiSA has been done in secret for years and has no meaningful transparency provisions. The "Investment Chapter" from part of the leaked TiSA documents stipulates that under the new legislation, multinationals can sue governments if laws affect company profits. Assange has stated that the laws have already and will have negative effects on improving health and environmental regulations, as well as furthering the power of large corporations. Wikileaks are offering a $100,000 (€88,750) reward for the rest of the text.