WTO paper seeks to address developing nations' concerns

Naomi Koppel, Associated Press, Geneva

With less than two weeks until the start of the World Trade Organization meeting in Qatar, diplomats to the 142-nation organization plan to discuss new proposals that address the concerns of developing countries.

A confidential draft of the declaration that trade ministers will be asked to approve states that "the majority of WTO members are developing countries.

We seek to place their needs and interests at the heart of the work program."

The document, obtained by reporters Sunday, was drawn up by Hong Kong Ambassador Stuart Harbinson, who chairs the WTO's general council.

It will be discussed by ambassadors to the Geneva-based WTO at a general council meeting on Wednesday.

The ministerial meeting opens Nov. 9 in Doha, Qatar.

Harbinson's document is a new version of a draft declaration he drew up last month, and it makes major concessions to developing countries' demands.

In particular, the document no longer calls for formal negotiations to set international rules on investment and competition policies.

Inclusion of those topics was among key demands of the European Union but was opposed by developing countries who said they did not have the domestic framework to handle such issues.

Following the failure to reach any kind of agreement two years ago in Seattle, member nations want to launch a round of trade negotiations at the Doha meeting.

The document does not directly mention a "round" - the word has upset some developing countries who see it as suggesting a comprehensive set of negotiations, which they oppose - but it does say that all negotiations will be subject to a single agreement.

Under Harbinson's proposals, WTO members would commit themselves to negotiating binding agreements on: - reducing import tariffs on industrial goods. - improving transparency in government purchasing. - reducing bureaucracy surrounding customs procedures. - "clarifying and improving" antidumping rules that allow nations to impose penalty tariffs against goods imported at below market price, and improving WTO rules on fisheries subsidies. - improving the WTO's system for settling trade disputes between member states.

The negotiations would also encompass talks on agriculture and trade in services.

These have already started, but there are still major disagreements over which topics should be up for discussion, especially in agriculture.

The nine-page document is longer than Harbinson's original draft.