'No non-trade issues on WTO agenda'

'No non-trade issues on WTO agenda'

JAKARTA (JP): Developing and industrialized countries remain
divided over whether to include non-trade issues at the inaugural
World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference in
Singapore in December.

The developing countries, led by the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), oppose any link between trade and non-
trade issues, while the West is vehemently campaigning for the
inclusion of a "social clause" in WTO discussions.

"Non-trade issues" generally refer to the environment, labor
rights, corruption and human rights.

ASEAN foreign ministers on Sunday warned the West to stop
insisting that non-trade issues should be discussed at the
conference.

"ASEAN should oppose any attempt to include issues which are
not trade-related, such as corruption and social clauses, at the
Singapore ministerial conference," ASEAN foreign ministers said
in a joint communique, issued at the end of their 29th
ministerial meeting on Sunday.

The communique is in line with President Soeharto's call for
ASEAN members to consolidate common opposition against the
industrialized countries over non-trade issues.

"We must express concern over the efforts of some developed
countries to sidetrack deliberations... so that the focus will
not be on matters extraneous to trade," Soeharto said when
opening the ASEAN ministerial meeting last Saturday.

The United States and European countries are spearheading a
campaign to include non-trade issues in discussions at the
inaugural WTO ministerial meeting. They are also seeking ways to
promote the draft multilateral investment treaty and a
competition policy.

ASEAN countries have vehemently rejected any attempt to
include non-trade matters, such as investment codes and the
competition policy, at the meeting.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Ali Alatas said the proposed
multilateral investment treaty would protect the rights of
foreign investors at the expense of recipient countries.

This issue was first broached at the summit of Asian and
European leaders in Bangkok and is likely to be discussed again
today when ASEAN countries meet 14 other world powers at the
ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

ASEAN ministers have had problems with the draft multilateral
investment treaty because they think it gives too many rights to
investors from developed countries to the detriment of recipient
developing countries.

Alatas, the chairman of this year's ASEAN ministerial meeting,
called on ASEAN members to cooperate closely in the face of moves
by some developed nations to push through the draft agreement at
the WTO meeting.

The Singapore conference, to be attended by more than 120 WTO
member countries, is expected to review progress towards global
free trade under the time-table set by the Uruguay Round of
multilateral trade talks. The conference will also review future
challenges.

While ASEAN foreign ministers were meeting, U.S. civil rights
activist Reverend Jesse Jackson was here promoting links between
trade and labor rights.

"There must be some compatibility between (wages and working
conditions of) workers so that we can have as much of an even
playing field as possible, so that we can all grow together," he
was quoted by AFP as saying.

Jackson wants Washington to use labor rights as a criterion
for granting its "most favored nation" status. He said he
regretted that the Indonesian workers making shoes for Olympic
athletes could not afford to buy a pair themselves.

Indonesian rights promoter Marzuki Darusman, who is also vice
chairman of Indonesia's National Commission on Human Rights,
disagreed with Jackson, saying that non-trade issues, such as
labor rights, should be dealt with separately.

"By linking the issues they become complicated," Marzuki said
after meeting with ASEAN foreign ministers during a recess of the
ASEAN ministerial meeting. (rid)