Group of 15 forum seeks to make its presence felt
Group of 15 forum seeks to make its presence felt
By Meidyatama Suryodiningrat
BUENOS AIRES (JP): The Group of 15 (G-15) forum must solidify cooperation between its members to prove itself worthy of attention by the industrialized countries, if North-South dialog is to be rejuvenated.
The Egyptian and Indonesian foreign ministers both said that the Group of Seven (G-7) industrialized countries have tended to neglect the presence and appeals of the G-15.
But they said it was up to the G-15 to grab attention itself if the actions being taken to address concerns about the developing world are to be acknowledged by the G-7.
"We'll have to prove that we are viable, that we are strong and performing well in order to get their attention," Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Mousa told The Jakarta Post.
He maintained that it is impossible to expect the G-7 to respond to the concerns addressed by the G-15 unless the group makes an effort to tackle the problems itself.
"Attention we'll have to get. It is never a gift," Mousa argued, adding: "It cannot be otherwise."
Mousa and his counterparts are in Buenos Aires to attend a ministerial meeting of the G-15, which precedes a two-day summit- level meeting on Monday.
The G-15 was formed in 1989 as a consultative forum of state leaders to help foster cooperation among developing countries and forge North-South dialog.
It is now comprises Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Nigeria, Peru Senegal, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.
Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Ail Alatas also noted the G-7's less-than-warm reception to the G-15.
"I believe evidence shows that the G-7 has been very cautious, and even shown reluctance in reacting to the proposals and attempts of the G-15," he said.
The G-7 leaders, at their summits, have thus far neglected to respond directly to, or meet with, representatives of the G-15.
Indonesia's President Soeharto, when he was chairman of the Non-Aligned Movement in 1992-95, is the only leader to have succeeded in addressing the concerns of the Third World when he met the chairman of the G-7 during its summit in Japan in 1993.
"The G-15 has only been able to have contacts (with the G-7) at the senior officials level," Alatas said.
He maintained that if the G-15 wants to capture the full attention of the G-7, its declarations and appeals must be superior in content.
"I think it's up to us. If the message we deliver is noteworthy, I believe it will catch the attention of the G-7."
When asked whether the message due to be released at the end of this year's summit is of exceptional quality, Alatas replied that it is better to wait and see.
Delegates have revealed that the G-15 has prepared a special call for constructive dialog with the G-7, which could be adopted by the G-15 leaders in their meeting on Monday.
Among the themes underlying the G-15's call is the great urgency for international action in bringing stability to exchange and interest rates, in order to check the volatile capital inflows that affect developing countries.
There is also a special plea for industrialized countries to resist attempts to curb their own unemployment by imposing protectionist and unilateral trade restraints. The G-15 argues that trade is the only solution to enhance development and create jobs.
Delegates also said the G-15 leaders may make an effort to fight misconceptions that there is a direct negative link between structural unemployment in the industrialized North and increased trade and investment in the developing South.