Rich countries may split powerful G-22 bloc: RP<\/p>\n
Mynardo Macaraig, Agence France-Presse, Manila<\/p>\n
Rich nations may try to split the group of 22 developing
\nnations, whose firm stand on agriculture issues led to the
\nfailure of the WTO talks in Cancun, the Philippines warned on
\nThursday.<\/p>\n
The first priority of the new bloc, known popularly as the "G-
\n22" and of which the Philippines is a key member, would be to
\nkeep intact, Philippine Agriculture Secretary Lito Lorenzo said.<\/p>\n
"Of course, there will be tremendous pressure to begin to
\nattract members of the G-22 to pull out of the grouping as they
\nsettle their concerns with the developed nations" individually,
\nLorenzo told a media forum.<\/p>\n
The WTO conference in Cancun, Mexico this month foundered amid
\ndisputes between developed and developing countries over
\nreductions in farm subsidies and on proposals for a series of
\ntrade and investment issues.<\/p>\n
"I think the developed nations will be more understanding the
\nnext time around ... they are under pressure to arrive at some
\nimprovements so they will probably work on a parallel tack of
\nbilateral discussions," Lorenzo said.<\/p>\n
He said that the problem with such bilateral negotiations,
\nhowever, was that "the one coming from a stronger position will
\nbe able to dictate more favorable terms for themselves.<\/p>\n
"The weaker one in the bilateral meeting, if not prepared, is
\nbetter off working within a grouping to push forward his or her
\nconcerns," Lorenzo said<\/p>\n
He said that for rich countries, "WTO Cancun was a failure but
\nit was a resounding success for developing countries, especially
\nthe Philippine delegates," because of the united stand of the G-
\n22.<\/p>\n
The G-22, led by China, India and Brazil, opposed agricultural
\nsubsidies of wealthy nations while pushing for greater market
\naccess for their own agricultural products.<\/p>\n
This new bloc has shown the WTO that "before any issue is
\ntaken up, the matter of agricultural reform must be resolved,"
\nLorenzo said.<\/p>\n
He conceded that the bloc had overtaken the 17-nation Cairns
\ngroup of agriculture-exporting countries, led by Australia,
\nCanada and New Zealand, which he said had become a "microcosm of
\nthe rich and poor WTO membership."<\/p>\n
The Philippines would remain a member of Cairns but "the
\ndilemma here is that the common (focus) of Cairns is the trade
\nrelationship with the United States."<\/p>\n
He said the stand at Cancun was "the first time (developing
\ncountries) did not break ranks."<\/p>\n
In the past, such countries had been willing to "bend over
\nbackwards" to open their markets only to find they did receive
\nthe full benefits promised them under liberalized trade, he said.<\/p>\n
Lorenzo said that many ministers at Cancun had "their backs to
\nthe wall" as there was growing political pressure on their
\ngovernments from their electorates who feel that their lives are
\nnot getting better despite trade liberalization.<\/p>\n
Lorenzo said the Philippines had been "too gung-ho" in opening
\nits market in the past in expectation of reciprocal treatment
\nfrom other countries that did not materialize.<\/p>",
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