Malaysia, singled out, tells Japan to back off

Malaysia, singled out, tells Japan to back off

KUALA LUMPUR (DPA): Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad told Japan yesterday to quit accusing Malaysia of hampering World Trade Organization (WTO) talks to free up the telecommunications sector because it has yet to submit any offers despite next week's deadline.

"There is no need to accuse each other," he said, commenting on a news report Wednesday quoting Japanese officials that Malaysia was among several countries which were stumbling blocks to the negotiations, scheduled to be wrapped up on Feb. 15.

"Japan, too, has problems. They are also strict (in other sectors). We want to sell canned pineapples, for example, the country imposes many restrictions," he was quoted as saying by the state-run Bernama news agency.

Japanese Post and Telecommunications Ministry officials singled out Malaysia, the United States, Canada and Mexico as hindering progress on the WTO accord to liberalize the global telecommunications sector.

They said some major developing countries such as Malaysia have not made any offers, while others which have already made their offers, did not include specific deadlines.

So far, 54 of the WTO's 129 members have come up with measures on how to open up their sectors.

Asked when Malaysia would be making its offers, Mahathir merely said: "We need to take care of our national interest."

The deadline for the WTO negotiations to reach a global accord was extended to February 15 after members failed to conclude an agreement by the previous deadline of April 30 last year.