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.