G-15 leaders call for better cooperation

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid, in his address at the Group of 15 summit on Wednesday, warned of the dangers of globalization and the urgent need to master information technology (IT).

In a brief address at the opening of the group's 11th summit, held at the Jakarta Convention Center, he urged the group to continue to foster stronger cooperation.

Citing the theme of the two-day summit, harnessing the potential of IT for development, Abdurrahman cautioned the leaders to anticipate difficulties ahead in facing globalization and called on them to remain united and work together for their mutual benefit.

Without adopting information technology, members of the G-15 would not be able to compete with other countries, the President insisted.

Abdurrahman officially heads Indonesia's 46-member delegation, which includes Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri and Minister of Foreign Affairs Alwi Shihab.

The delegation includes five members of the House of Representatives, among them Yasril Ananta from Golkar and Ahmad Sumargono from the Crescent Star Party.

Megawati was assigned to preside over the closed session in the morning.

The Vice President was also present during a "retreat", an informal meeting of the heads of state and government to discuss issues outside the formal agenda.

Speaking on behalf of Asian countries, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who hosted the first G-15 summit in 1990, detailed what he believed were the priorities that needed to be pursued.

"As developing countries, we have to overcome major impediments in order to seize the opportunities offered by the digital era," he said.

"First and most basic of all, we have to develop the necessary human capital. However, human capital alone will not be sufficient to address the requirements of the new economy. Developing good infrastructure, as well as a pragmatic legal and policy framework, are crucial," said Mahathir.

He also shared his own experience in overcoming Malaysia's economic crisis in the mid-1990s, achieved without assistance from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which he described as more of a political tool than an institution to heal the economic woes of needy states.

"It has been made all too clear that the IMF is more of a political instrument than one committed to financial rehabilitation. The sufferings of people seem to be of little concern as long as certain policies and directives are implemented," Mahathir said, criticizing the IMF.

The G-15 was established in 1989, its name is retained despite the recent admission of four new member countries.

Its membership comprises Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Among the leaders attending the Jakarta summit are the President of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Jamaican Prime Minister James Patterson.

Speaking as a representative of Africa, Mugabe also lashed out at the West for their past record during colonial times and in the current globalization era.

"The current world economic order is deliberately constructed for the exploitation of Third World economies and their people," said Mugabe.

"Despite official aid programs, our economies and people remain poor and marginalized and servile to the economies of the developed world, especially those of Europe and the United States," Mugabe announced.

While the leaders were busy with the summit, Indonesian traditional cosmetics manufacturer PT Mustika Ratu invited First Lady Sinta Nuriyah and the leaders' spouses to enjoy an underwater massage and Javanese aromatherapy massage.

Vice President Megawati is scheduled to read out President Abdurrahman Wahid's closing statement during the closing ceremony on Thursday morning.

Venezuelan leader Chavez, whose country will host next year's summit, will also deliver a short speech.

As the host, the President is slated to convene a media conference, after officially closing the two-day summit. (prb)