RI seeks clear schedule to end farm subsidies

The Indonesian government has sent a delegation, led by representative from the Ministry of Industry and Trade Directorate General of International Cooperation Pos M. Hutabarat, to the World Trade Organization (WTO) general council meeting in Geneva.

He was accompanied by five subordinates, including Director of Multilateral Cooperation Djunari Inggih Waskito, according to a member of the delegation.

Last week, the government announced its stance against the initial draft proposal aimed at reviving that stalled global trade talks, saying the proposal failed to meet the requests of developing countries.

Indonesia's agenda in the meeting is as follows:

* Along with other G-22 members, Indonesia demands a clear timetable on when developed nations will end their heavy farm subsidies.

* As the G-33 leader, Indonesia demands clear status and the schedule of Special Products (SP) and Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM).

* Indonesia also demands tariff reductions on industrial products be on a voluntary rather than a mandatory basis.

* Rejecting a linear reduction on tariffs on industrial products, which is considered a major disadvantage for most developing countries that usually impose high tariffs.

* Indonesia accepts only one of four "Singapore Issues" -- trade facilitation -- but through clarification of the details on freedom of transit, and cost and procedures. The rejected three items of the Singapore Issues are investment, competition policies and transparency in government procurement. --JP