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)