New WTO Leader Addresses Activists
Tue, 8 Feb 2000 8:10:14 PST
BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- The future leader of the World Trade Organization today told activists demanding a greater voice in trade talks that globalization was entering a "crucial" stage and their concerns would be heeded.
Supachai Pantichpakdi, Thailand's commerce minister, met with representatives of non-governmental organizations who have gathered to present proposals at the U.N. Conference on Trade and Development being held Feb. 12-19.
He was warm and welcoming to the activists, who have savored their victory in helping derail the WTO summit in Seattle in November, sinking for now hopes of launching a new round of trade negotiations.
Organizers of the U.N. conference say a major lesson from Seattle -- where talks collapsed under violent protest and acrimony between nations -- was that poor nations and ordinary people have gone unheard in decisions affecting their lives as the world economy makes its fastest changes since the Industrial Revolution.
The U.N. conference, which tries to promote development in poor countries through trade, has tried to give the activists an advisory voice. "This is a very crucial point in time," Supachai told them. "The process of liberalization and globalization is moving very fast, so fast that many countries in the world may not be able to keep up or join the bandwagon at all."
Supachai said he was unsure how gaps between have and have-not nations could be narrowed, but dialogue should be broadened to enable all countries to share opportunities for growth.
He fought a long battle last year with New Zealand's former prime minister, Mike Moore, to head the WTO. The deadlock was broken by a deal in which Moore serves three years and Supachai the next three. Supachai was seen as the candidate more likely to boost the cause of developing countries. Moore has also said, however, that a new trade agreement will be impossible unless poor nations get a fair deal and has urged the rich to open their markets, especially on textiles.
The activists urged help for Third World agriculture, debt relief for the poorest countries, and reduced power for the International Monetary Fund, seen by many in Asia as worsening the recent economic crisis. "Indiscriminate globalization and liberalization has failed," said veteran Third World activist Walden Bello. "There's a need for another model which is more democratic and respective of diversity." Fearful of rioting like that which occurred at the meeting in Seattle, Thai authorities have stepped up security and detained thousands of foreigners.:
