Narnia Walks Out of WTO Meeting

Status: Hoax
In a dramatic move, the representatives of the state of Narnia have walked out of the WTO meeting in Hong Kong. AFX News issued this news release:

AFX News Limited
WTO MEETING - Narnia walks out of talks; says tired of EU, US 'bullying'
12.18.2005, 07:16 AM
HONG KONG (AFX) - The independent state of Narnia has walked out of trade negotiations here, citing pressure from the European Union and the US to enforce liberalization of its garment-related sector. Narnian spokeswoman Susan Aslan said in a statement that delegates 'were tired of bullying by EU and US delegations and would be returning immediately to their state capital at Cair Parvel.' 'If this brings the Hong Kong talks to the knees we will be delighted. Many other delegates told us they are sick of the eternal Lamy winter and are longing for a new trade spring,' Aslan said. The walkout was a first in this round of talks, and follows a similar move by some developing country delegates at the Cancun summit two years ago, the statement said.

This news release was then posted on Forbes.com, from which it has since disappeared (once Forbes realized it was a joke). I have no idea how it got uploaded to AFX News in the first place. (via The Disney Blog)

Business/Finance Entertainment

Posted on Mon Dec 19, 2005


Comments

Alex, why do you call this a hoax? It seems to me to be obviously a joke. Or don't you acknowledge a distinction between a hoax and a joke?
Posted by Big Gary in Fairbanks, Alaska  on  Tue Dec 20, 2005  at  01:31 AM
Does Disney have anything to do with the production or distribution of the Narnia movie? If so, it's possible that they had this "press release" put on the Web as a publicity stunt (although it doesn't seem as if the movie really needs something as silly as this to promote it).
Posted by Cranky Media Guy  on  Tue Dec 20, 2005  at  02:44 AM
From Wikipedia:

A JOKE is a short story or short series of words spoken or communicated with the intent of being laughed at or found by humorous the listener or reader.

A HOAX is an attempt to trick an audience into believing that something false is real.
Posted by Not Alex  on  Tue Dec 20, 2005  at  08:24 AM
Well, given the definition of a joke, I definitely think this is a joke, 'cause I certainly found it humorous and it definitely made me laugh!
Posted by coit  on  Tue Dec 20, 2005  at  08:44 AM
Living in a country clsoe to Narnia, I have seen the devestation the recent war has wrecked upon this proud land; I feel very sorry for the Narnians, who are only asking for fair trade terms in order to regain their economic footing after the civil war and make their nation great again. 😊

And as to what's happened to the ecology of Skull Island after Kong was removed, well, I'll tell ya, ganag, that ain't pretty either 😊
Posted by DFStuckey  on  Tue Jan 03, 2006  at  10:00 PM
I think its definitely a joke, my brother showed it to me and i really laughed. I dont think that the author really thought anyone would believe it.
Posted by dodo  on  Fri Jan 20, 2006  at  11:28 AM
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