G-15 leaders call for better cooperation

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)