-Caveat Lector- Subj: Thailand Offers To Share WTO Post Date: 7/16/99 7:22:59 PM Central Daylight Time From: AOL News BCC: Ahab42 Thailand Offers To Share WTO Post .c The Associated Press By NAOMI KOPPEL GENEVA (AP) - Thailand said Friday it was willing to share World Trade Organization leadership by splitting the six-year term with New Zealand. The concession could end a bitter leadership struggle that has undermined the organization's authority as a trade policeman during the high-profile transatlantic disputes over bananas and hormone-treated beef. Thai Foreign Minister Surin Pitsuwan told a news conference that Thailand would be happy for its candidate, Deputy Prime Minister Supachai Panitchpakdi, to wait three years for the job as director-general, provided he had a completely free hand after that. That would clear the way for New Zealand's Mike Moore to move into WTO headquarters immediately and fill the vacuum left at the end of April by Italy's Renato Ruggiero. There was no immediate reaction from the WTO Friday to the Thai announcement. The first three years is seen by some as the plum term because the director-general will set the agenda for trade liberalization talks to be launched in November in Seattle. But a key plan to lower more trade barriers will likely be finalized in the second term. Taking the second slot would also allow Supachai to finish his term in the current Thai Cabinet before the country's November 2000 elections. Supachai would take over in 2002, if the agreement is approved. The bitter leadership contest began last year, souring relations between Supachai's Asian supporters and Moore's backers in the West. Australia proposed the share plan after it became clear that neither man could defeat the other. The organization makes decisions by consensus, rather than vote, but neither man's supporters would withdraw their candidate. After a brief general council session Thursday, diplomats were upbeat. ``The atmosphere here now is completely different to what it was before,'' said Bangladeshi Ambassador Iftekhar Chowdhury. Even so, some voiced concern about the power-sharing deal. Morocco - whose own candidate dropped out of the race earlier this year - said each man should serve just two years. The Thai foreign minister stressed his country would not accept anything less than three years. Meanwhile, the United States and Canada will seek final approval from the World Trade Organization later this month for sanctions against the European Union over imports of hormone-treated beef. The July 26 meeting is likely to give both countries immediate approval to impose 100 percent tariffs on a range of imports from the EU, effectively pricing the items out of the market. Washington has not yet decided precisely which goods will be affected, but its preliminary list included canned meats, Roquefort cheese, truffles, paprika, chewing gum, chocolate, mineral water and motorcycles. The Canadian preliminary list included beef, cucumbers, gingerbread, gin, vodka and soup. Although the EU ban on hormone-treated beef has been ruled illegal, Brussels has refused to lift it, saying some of the hormones could cause cancer. AP-NY-07-16-99 2022EDT Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. To edit your profile, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:NewsProfiles">NewsProfiles </A>. For all of today's news, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:News">News</A>. 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
