'No non-trade issues on WTO agenda'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Developing and industrialized countries remain
\ndivided over whether to include non-trade issues at the inaugural
\nWorld Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference in
\nSingapore in December.<\/p>\n
The developing countries, led by the Association of Southeast
\nAsian Nations (ASEAN), oppose any link between trade and non-
\ntrade issues, while the West is vehemently campaigning for the
\ninclusion of a \"social clause\" in WTO discussions.<\/p>\n
\"Non-trade issues\" generally refer to the environment, labor
\nrights, corruption and human rights.<\/p>\n
ASEAN foreign ministers on Sunday warned the West to stop
\ninsisting that non-trade issues should be discussed at the
\nconference.<\/p>\n
\"ASEAN should oppose any attempt to include issues which are
\nnot trade-related, such as corruption and social clauses, at the
\nSingapore ministerial conference,\" ASEAN foreign ministers said
\nin a joint communique, issued at the end of their 29th
\nministerial meeting on Sunday.<\/p>\n
The communique is in line with President Soeharto's call for
\nASEAN members to consolidate common opposition against the
\nindustrialized countries over non-trade issues.<\/p>\n
\"We must express concern over the efforts of some developed
\ncountries to sidetrack deliberations... so that the focus will
\nnot be on matters extraneous to trade,\" Soeharto said when
\nopening the ASEAN ministerial meeting last Saturday.<\/p>\n
The United States and European countries are spearheading a
\ncampaign to include non-trade issues in discussions at the
\ninaugural WTO ministerial meeting. They are also seeking ways to
\npromote the draft multilateral investment treaty and a
\ncompetition policy.<\/p>\n
ASEAN countries have vehemently rejected any attempt to
\ninclude non-trade matters, such as investment codes and the
\ncompetition policy, at the meeting.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said the proposed
\nmultilateral investment treaty would protect the rights of
\nforeign investors at the expense of recipient countries.<\/p>\n
This issue was first broached at the summit of Asian and
\nEuropean leaders in Bangkok and is likely to be discussed again
\ntoday when ASEAN countries meet 14 other world powers at the
\nASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).<\/p>\n
ASEAN ministers have had problems with the draft multilateral
\ninvestment treaty because they think it gives too many rights to
\ninvestors from developed countries to the detriment of recipient
\ndeveloping countries.<\/p>\n
Alatas, the chairman of this year's ASEAN ministerial meeting,
\ncalled on ASEAN members to cooperate closely in the face of moves
\nby some developed nations to push through the draft agreement at
\nthe WTO meeting.<\/p>\n
The Singapore conference, to be attended by more than 120 WTO
\nmember countries, is expected to review progress towards global
\nfree trade under the time-table set by the Uruguay Round of
\nmultilateral trade talks. The conference will also review future
\nchallenges.<\/p>\n
While ASEAN foreign ministers were meeting, U.S. civil rights
\nactivist Reverend Jesse Jackson was here promoting links between
\ntrade and labor rights.<\/p>\n
\"There must be some compatibility between (wages and working
\nconditions of) workers so that we can have as much of an even
\nplaying field as possible, so that we can all grow together,\" he
\nwas quoted by AFP as saying.<\/p>\n
Jackson wants Washington to use labor rights as a criterion
\nfor granting its \"most favored nation\" status. He said he
\nregretted that the Indonesian workers making shoes for Olympic
\nathletes could not afford to buy a pair themselves.<\/p>\n
Indonesian rights promoter Marzuki Darusman, who is also vice
\nchairman of Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights,
\ndisagreed with Jackson, saying that non-trade issues, such as
\nlabor rights, should be dealt with separately.<\/p>\n
\"By linking the issues they become complicated,\" Marzuki said
\nafter meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers during a recess of the
\nASEAN ministerial meeting. (rid)<\/p>",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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