G15 stance on debt fortified by statement

G15 stance on debt fortified by statement

By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat

BUENOS AIRES (JP): Ministers of the Group of 15 drafted on
Saturday a joint communique strengthening the group's stance on
the mounting debt of developing countries.

Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas told
journalists after the meeting that the Group of 15 (G-15) was
demonstrating its solidarity and support for those countries
encumbered by debt burdens.

The original stance was considered to be too weak and, at
Indonesia's suggestion, the text was strengthened, he said.

Alatas, in the absence of President Soeharto, is leading the
Indonesian delegation to the G-15 Summit, which begins here
today.

On Saturday, ministers of the G-15 held a one-day meeting to
finalize the summit's draft communique.

Alatas maintained that a strong statement was needed to
display the sensitivity of the G-15 toward the debt predicament
of many developing nations, even though G-15 members are not
themselves heavily beset by the problem.

"For most of the G-15 members, debt is no longer a problem. It
is the poorest countries, who are not members of the G-15, who
suffer this plight," he said.

The G-15 was established in 1989 as a forum for consultation
among heads of state to address the problems of the developing
world and forge better South-South cooperation.

It is comprised of Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt,
India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru
Senegal, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Alatas said that this year's draft communique, which will be
taken up on Monday at the top level for possible adoption, was
"more substantive" and contained challenges and opportunities for
future South-South cooperation.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post, Egyptian foreign minister Amr
Mousa said the G-15 must promote cooperation between developing
countries.

"We all want to coordinate better and push forward
investment, trade and technology between our countries," he said.

Mousa also noted the role of Indonesia in the meetings. "Here
I wish to commend the Indonesian contribution to this forum."

In their meeting, the ministers also agreed to the terms of
reference for the establishment of a Committee for Investment,
Trade and Technology (CITT).

"This committee will be assigned to look at possible
initiation and liberalization in trade among developing
countries," Alatas explained.

The work of the CITT will not be limited to G-15 members and
it will strive for better cooperation among the Group of 77
countries and the Non-Aligned Movement.

Another major point of discussion among ministers was the
possibility of adding new members to the forum. In the make-up of
the current membership, only three of the 15 members represent
the Asia region.

"Indonesia is of the opinion that if the membership is to be
enlarged, we should consider a sub-region in Asia that is not
currently represented in the G-15, such as west Asia," Alatas
said.

Potential memberships from that area include Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Syria and Lebanon.

However, the ministers agreed that the issue should be studied
further and the matter taken up by the next chair of the G-15,
Zimbabwe, for consideration at next year's summit.

On Sunday, Alatas held bilateral meetings with his
counterparts from India and Egypt.

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