Can Bogor carve a niche in history books after APEC?

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)