Evans still confident on free trade deadline

JAKARTA (JP): Australia remained optimistic that leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum would adopt a declaration for the implementation of trade liberalization by a set deadline.

"I think there's a very good chance and I think the last few days have enhanced that prospect," Australian Trade Minister Bob McMullen said yesterday. "It will depend on what comes out of the dynamic of the leader's meeting. But the prospects are good," he added.

APEC Ministers ended their two-day meeting on Saturday without any mention of a free trade timetable anywhere in their final statement.

However Australian foreign minister Gareth Evans denied suggestions that the ministers' omission of any mention of the deadline signified a failure. "It was never the intention to move forward on that front," he said.

APEC economic leaders will meet at Bogor Presidential Palace tomorrow where the free trade deadline is expected to be the central issue.

"We've simply been supportive of the general thrust that President Soeharto wants an overall declaration of vision about free trade in the region by an agreed date," McMullen said.

Reportedly President Soeharto has proposed that the leaders adopt a deadline where comprehensive trade liberalization would occur by the year 2020.

Thus far Malaysia has been the vocal opponent to any sort of time frame for the process to occur and claims that there are "several" members who share this sentiment.

During the ministerial meetings, Malaysian Minister for International Trade and Industry Rafidah Aziz stated that Malaysia would not support the stipulation of a deadline for trade liberalization.

Nevertheless both Evans and McMullen remained confident that Malaysia in the end would warm up to the idea.

"If you look carefully to what's been said...no conclusive opposition has been stated on any one of the key issues," said Evans.

McMullen further remarked that "at the end of the day it will probably be a decision that is more consistent with the broad macro economic policy of Malaysia."(mds)