Following excerpt from:

Trilateralism
The Trilateral Commission and Elite Planning for World Management
Edited by Holly Sklar
(C) 1980
South End Press, Boston

Begin excerpt:

                    Foolish Attacks on False Issues
                David Rockefeller Replies to Critics *

...To some extremists, the Trilateral Commission is pictured as a
nefarious plot by an Eastern Establishment of businessmen in the
service of multinational corporations, who will do almost anything
including going into cahoots with the Kremlin for the sake of
financial gain. The fact that many former members, including President
Carter, are now members of the administration is hailed as proof of
how devilishly well the conspiracy is working.
    By contrast, the radicals at the other end of the spectrum view
the Trilateral Commission as a scheme to subject the working people of
the world to the machinations of rapacious capitalism. Both sides are
inordinantly fond of the word "cabal" in describing our membership,
and I, personally, am often singled out for special mention as the
"cabalist-in-chief." ...so let me put the record straight.
    The Trilateral Commission now has 300 members from North America,
Western Europe (almost entirely from the Common Market) and Japan
About one-fourth of the total are from the United States and include
not only businessman, but labor union leaders, university professors
and research institute directors, Congressmen and Senators, media
representatives and others. There are about as many Republicans as
Democrats. The members from other countries are drawn from a similarly
broad base.
    Among the present and former U.S. members are the chairmen of the
Republican National Committee, the president of the AFL-CIO, the chief
editor of the Chicago Sun Times and others who would have difficulty
hatching the same plot.
    There are eight California members including Cap Weinberger, Arjay
Miller and Philip Hawley. So if this is an Eastern Establishment, it's
growing a pretty hefty West Coast branch.
    It is gratifying and not surprising that many of our former
members are now officials in the administration. The membership has
always consisted of some of our most outstanding citizens. When a
Commission member becomes a member of the administration, however,
rules require that him or her resign. The same applies in Europe and
Japan.
    The Trilateral Commission does not take positions on issues or
endorse individuals for office. It publishes a quarterly journal,
holds plenary meetings that rotate from region to region, and gets
task force reports that take well over a year each to prepare. To
encourage lively and uninhibited debate and a full exchange of views,
we do not open Commission meetings to the public. But we do make
available all reports.
    My point is that far from being a coterie of international
conspirators with designs on covertly ruling the world, the Trilateral
Commission is, in reality, a group of concerned citizens intrested in
fostering greater understanding and cooperation among international
allies.
    Mean and small-minded attacks and the absurdities of the
extremists don't bother me much. By this time, I've become relatively
thick-skinned and quite able to fend for myself. But I regret that
these misunderstandings have enered into the political arena, and I do
worry that misrepresenting the motives of good and dedicated people
will only narrow instead of broaden participation.
    In such an uncertain and turbulant world climate, our country - in
shaping its role in the world - cannot afford to be sidetracked by
foolish attacks of false issues. Rather, we must -all of us - work
together to help frame a foreign policy that best reflects the courage
and commitment that are cornerstones of this great nation.

* These remarks are from an excerpt of a speech Rockefeller gave to
the Los Angeles World Affairs Council appearing in the Wall Street
Journal, 30 April 1980.

End Excerpt.

Well, there you have it folks. It's all a big misunderstanding. There
isn't really any conspiracy after all. I feel much better now.

>>> NOT! <<<

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