Shanghai APEC<\/p>\n
The Asia-Pacific rim countries meet every year to discuss
\ntheir economic woes, in particular how to promote international
\ntrade by removing artificial, mostly government made, barriers.
\nThe objective of the entry of the People's Republic of China into
\nthe World Trade Organization is to facilitate the flow of trade
\nbetween APEC members.<\/p>\n
The Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center in New
\nYork has suddenly created a rift within the ranks of the APEC
\ncommunity, more so since the role of religion has now come into
\nplay as well.<\/p>\n
The ideals of APEC, originally aimed at spreading prosperity
\nevenly among the nations of the world, in practice only make the
\nrich nations richer and the developing nations poorer, according
\nto critics.<\/p>\n
Now it seems that a tougher spirit of competition and
\ninternational mistrust following the September tragedy will lead
\nto the mightier nations getting more powerful. The weaker
\nnations, on the other hand, get more confused and disillusioned.
\nThey have to accept handouts as they were.<\/p>\n
Government subsidies were meant to be removed or minimized to
\ncreate a fair international trade exchange mechanism. Subsidies
\nwere seen in the APEC spirit as foul play deserving \"a red card\".
\nHowever, the U.S. government has now to support airline companies
\nthrough massive subsidies if they are to be prevented from
\nbankruptcy due to dwindling revenues from ticket sales.<\/p>\n
As for Indonesia, fortunately, Megawati has ensured that the
\nU.S. and Japan are to keep their pledges to assist Indonesia's
\neconomic recovery whatever happens. Hopefully, the \"opposition
\nleaders\" will be happy with the results of Mega's \"impossible
\nmission\" to Shanghai.<\/p>\n
GANDHI SUKARDI<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/shanghai-apec-1447899208", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }