Time for 'forgive and forget', Thai WTO candidate says

Time for 'forgive and forget', Thai WTO candidate says

BANGKOK (AP): With a deal all but done to share power with his
rival to lead the World Trade Organization, Thai candidate
Supachai Panitchpakdi said Wednesday it was time to leave behind
the bitter race and cooperate for the future.

"I think we should forgive and forget," Supachai told The
Associated Press.

After months of wrangling, the 134-member organization agreed
Tuesday in an informal session to select Supachai, a deputy prime
minister of Thailand, and Mike Moore, a former New Zealand
premier, to be its next leader.

The countries added their names to a draft plan which would
give each man three years as director general. Supachai agreed
last week to let Moore go first. A final agreement from WTO
members is expected by the end of the week.

The race was long and at times bitter, with members unable to
arrive at the desired consensus around one man. Enormous pressure
was exerted by the camp led by the United States, backing Moore,
to push Supachai, supported by Japan and the rest of Asia, to
withdraw.

Supachai held firm throughout, but said Wednesday that at
times he had been upset during the yearlong campaign.

"We should consider those things part of the campaigning in
whatever manner the campaigning might have taken place," Supachai
said. "I will do my best to give my support to the WTO and also
to Mr. Moore."

"I am sure that he will be able to do good job," Supachai
said. "I am ready to give him my full support."

Supachai said the two men should have the single goal of
having trade "enhance the quality of life of mankind as much as
possible."

The impasse in selecting a leader after Italian Renato
Ruggiero retired April 30 raised fears that a new global round of
trade talks slated to start in November in Seattle would be
jeopardized.

The person taking the job first is seen as having more
influence over the upcoming talks by playing a major role in
setting the agenda, but finalizing the round is likely to fall in
the second term.

Under the compromise, Moore would serve from this September to
August 2002 and be succeeded directly by Supachai.

Supachai said that as WTO leader, he would recommend measures
to help create an atmosphere of equal participation by all
countries in multilateral trade negotiations.

Supachai said the delay before he takes the post gives him
more time to help Thailand recover from the Asian economic
crisis.