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.