Can Bogor carve a niche in history books after APEC?

JAKARTA (JP): The city of Bogor, about one hour's drive from here, is set to play host to a major international event this month -- the gathering of leaders from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

But whether or not Bogor, dubbed as the "rain city", will carve a niche in the history books will largely depend on the outcome of the Nov. 15 meeting.

Bogor made world history in 1986 when it hosted the first ever meeting of the leaders of warring Cambodian factions. That event, named the Jakarta Informal Meeting although it was not held in the Indonesian capital, marked the beginning of a long process that culminated with the signing of the peace agreement in Paris in 1991.

Although Bogor made the first, and most important step in the peace process, Paris eventually stole the headlines. Still the tiny city just outside Jakarta is acknowledged in the Paris document.

Next week, the city gets another shot at world recognition. There could, however, be a catch.

Talks are now underway within APEC about establishing a free trade area in the Asia Pacific region.

The forum's Eminent Persons Group, whose report is reviewed by the APEC ministers meeting in Jakarta this week, has recommended that APEC move towards a free trade area either by 2020 if not ten years earlier.

Such a commitment isn't likely to come from the APEC ministers although the recommendation will be studied by them. Rather, it is more likely that such a commitment will come from the APEC leaders in Bogor.

The declaration to be issued at the end of the Bogor meeting will be read by host President Soeharto and will likely address the free trade issue. But whether or not any firm date will be set is still subject to speculation.

A number of countries, most notably Malaysia and China and to a lesser extent Japan, have already warned host Indonesia against trying to push for an exact time frame. Earlier, Australia wanted Indonesia to go for a commitment but has subsequently backed down after seeing the Malaysian and Chinese reactions.

But if Bogor cannot agree on a firm date, then Indonesia may lose the one chance it has to place their city on the world's map once and for all --losing the opportunity to Osaka, Japan, the host of the next APEC leadership meeting. (emb)