-Caveat Lector- By CLARE NULLIS GENEVA (May 2, 1999 3:15 p.m. EDT http://www.nandotimes.com) - The World Trade Organization faced Sunday the prospect of a damaging leadership vacuum that could undermine its authority in global trade disputes. Efforts to appoint a new director-general ended in total deadlock after more than 12 hours of weekend meetings that degenerated into bad-tempered clashes between supporters of former New Zealand Premier Mike Moore and Thai Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi. Ali Mchumo, chairman of the 134-nation WTO council, reconvened a meeting of the decision-making body for Monday in hopes of finding a solution. But prospects looked grim, with Asian and some African nations standing firm behind Supachai - seen as the candidate of the developing world - and the United States insisting on Moore. WTO spokesman Keith Rockwell described the atmosphere at Saturday's session as "testy, tense and not terribly pleasant." The impasse and growing North-South split led to fears that a time-consuming hunt for a new leader might have to begin again from scratch despite the impressive track record of both current candidates. Italy's Renato Ruggiero stepped down as scheduled on Friday after a four-year term in office, taking the WTO's deputy directors with him. Rockwell said the WTO could continue to function without a leader, although it might pose some problems for the work of panels set up to adjudicate trade disputes. If parties involved in the trade rows can't agree on the composition of the three-member panels, the rules say that the director-general must name the members. The Geneva-based body faces an upsurge in disputes following the U.S. announcement Friday that it will file complaints to the WTO against Europe, India, South Korea, Canada and Argentina for a variety of alleged unfair trade practices. Moreover, the WTO needs a leader with global clout as it prepares for a November ministerial conference in Seattle, meant to set the trade agenda for the 21st century and usher in new agreements to liberalize global commerce. Even if there is agreement Monday on either Moore or Supachai, the successful candidate would face an uphill struggle in winning over all WTO members given the depth of bitterness. WTO council chairman Mchumo, a Tanzanian diplomat, proposed on Friday that Moore be approved by consensus since he had the support of 62 nations, three more than Supachai. However, Japan, Malaysia, India and other Asian nations demanded a vote. That ran counter to the WTO's time-honored rule that all decisions be reached by consensus. Asian countries and their allies are particularly angry that the Thai candidate held a clear lead for months while the United States and Europe sat on the fence. Only when Washington opted in favor of Moore did the New Zealander begin to gain ground. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Global | Nation | Sports | Politics | Opinions | Business | Techserver | Health & Science | Entertainment | Weather | Baseball | Basketball | Football | Hockey | Sport Server | MAIN ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Copyright � 1999 Nando Media Do you have some feedback for the Nando Times staff? DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
