G-15 to discuss WTO issues in Harare: Alatas
G-15 to discuss WTO issues in Harare: Alatas
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali
Alatas hinted yesterday that the Group of 15 (G-15) may, at the
summit in Harare next month, negotiate a common stand on issues
related to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
After meeting President Soeharto to discuss his trip to Harare
tomorrow, Alatas gave an affirmation about the possibility of
member developing countries forging a common stance.
"I think so, and we will discuss in depth what issues could
ruin the WTO agenda," he said at Bina Graha presidential office.
The G-15 was founded in 1989 to provide a consultation forum
where heads of state could address the problems of the developing
world and forge better South-South cooperation.
Member countries are Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru,
Senegal, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
The group, however, has been losing momentum with fewer and
fewer leaders attending summits.
Alatas yesterday revealed that Soeharto will not attend the
sixth G-15 summit scheduled for Nov. 3-5 in Harare. He did not
attend last year's summit in Buenos Aires.
Last year, Indonesia declined to host the 1997 summit citing
the general elections as the reason.
Jakarta will proceed with its plan to host thousands of
athletes for the Southeast Asian Games next year.
"Because of pressing domestic engagements, the President
cannot attend the G-15 summit and has instructed me to represent
him," Alatas explained.
A meeting ministers from member countries in Harare on Nov. 1.
will precede the G-15 summit.
Alatas did not specify which issues the G-15 was likely adopt
a common stance on, but he said certain developed countries
wanted to insert new items on the agenda.
The WTO has scheduled a ministerial meeting in Singapore in
December. Several developed countries have signaled their
intention of linking social clauses to trade agreements, a
position strongly denounced by many developing states.
"Matters relating to the implementation of the international
trading system will be discussed, also any issues likely to come
up in Singapore," Alatas said.
The G-15 will hear reports on common projects and issues which
hinder South-South cooperation.
Indonesia has three main projects in the framework of South-
South cooperation. The first is on food and food security, the
second on population and the third is on self-propelling growth.
According to Alatas, another issue which could be discussed is
international terrorism and the illegal narcotics trade.
President Soeharto also received Indonesia's ambassador for
special affairs F.X. Lopes da Cruz yesterday.
Lopes told Soeharto he would soon be leaving for South Africa
to attend a seminar on improving relations between the two-
countries. Lopes will meet with South African President Nelson
Mandela.
Mandela has twice visited Indonesia as chairman of the African
National Congress (ANC).
According to Lopes, Soeharto hopes Mandela will soon visit
Indonesia in his capacity as head of state.
Lopes will also meet with representatives from the government
of Mozambique.
Lopes said he had told Soeharto that Mozambique officials,
with whom he has good connections, would like Indonesia to invest
in the development of a road connecting Mobuto to South Africa.
"The President said such a project could be possible if some
of the bigger countries also invested in the project. If it is us
alone investing there, well, we still have a lot to take care of
at home," Lopes said. (mds)
JAKARTA (JP): Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali
Alatas hinted yesterday that the Group of 15 (G-15) may, at the
summit in Harare next month, negotiate a common stand on issues
related to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
After meeting President Soeharto to discuss his trip to Harare
tomorrow, Alatas gave an affirmation about the possibility of
member developing countries forging a common stance.
"I think so, and we will discuss in depth what issues could
ruin the WTO agenda," he said at Bina Graha presidential office.
The G-15 was founded in 1989 to provide a consultation forum
where heads of state could address the problems of the developing
world and forge better South-South cooperation.
Member countries are Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru,
Senegal, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
The group, however, has been losing momentum with fewer and
fewer leaders attending summits.
Alatas yesterday revealed that Soeharto will not attend the
sixth G-15 summit scheduled for Nov. 3-5 in Harare. He did not
attend last year's summit in Buenos Aires.
Last year, Indonesia declined to host the 1997 summit citing
the general elections as the reason.
Jakarta will proceed with its plan to host thousands of
athletes for the Southeast Asian Games next year.
"Because of pressing domestic engagements, the President
cannot attend the G-15 summit and has instructed me to represent
him," Alatas explained.
A meeting ministers from member countries in Harare on Nov. 1.
will precede the G-15 summit.
Alatas did not specify which issues the G-15 was likely adopt
a common stance on, but he said certain developed countries
wanted to insert new items on the agenda.
The WTO has scheduled a ministerial meeting in Singapore in
December. Several developed countries have signaled their
intention of linking social clauses to trade agreements, a
position strongly denounced by many developing states.
"Matters relating to the implementation of the international
trading system will be discussed, also any issues likely to come
up in Singapore," Alatas said.
The G-15 will hear reports on common projects and issues which
hinder South-South cooperation.
Indonesia has three main projects in the framework of South-
South cooperation. The first is on food and food security, the
second on population and the third is on self-propelling growth.
According to Alatas, another issue which could be discussed is
international terrorism and the illegal narcotics trade.
President Soeharto also received Indonesia's ambassador for
special affairs F.X. Lopes da Cruz yesterday.
Lopes told Soeharto he would soon be leaving for South Africa
to attend a seminar on improving relations between the two-
countries. Lopes will meet with South African President Nelson
Mandela.
Mandela has twice visited Indonesia as chairman of the African
National Congress (ANC).
According to Lopes, Soeharto hopes Mandela will soon visit
Indonesia in his capacity as head of state.
Lopes will also meet with representatives from the government
of Mozambique.
Lopes said he had told Soeharto that Mozambique officials,
with whom he has good connections, would like Indonesia to invest
in the development of a road connecting Mobuto to South Africa.
"The President said such a project could be possible if some
of the bigger countries also invested in the project. If it is us
alone investing there, well, we still have a lot to take care of
at home," Lopes said. (mds)