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To: allen v.w. who wrote (23888)	8/31/1999 12:40:00 AM
From: allen v.w.	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 40688

New WTO Chief Makes Plea for Poor August 25, 1999 WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - The Associated Press via NewsEdge Corporation : Mike Moore, who becomes leader of the World Trade Organization next month, said Tuesday that smaller and poorer members must be given a greater role in promoting free trade. In an interview with The Associated Press, Moore said he has asked wealthy member countries to contribute to a special budget for the world's poorest nations. Such a move would allow them to fully participate in negotiations in Geneva, where the WTO is based, and in ministerial meetings, such as the sessions in November in the United States. ``There are countries which feel they've been locked out ... and they're right,' said Moore. ``I want to be their champion.' Moore, 50, a former prime minister of New Zealand, is the first non-European to fill the world's top trade job. He will replace Italy's Renato Ruggiero, who stood down at the end of April after his four-year term. In a decision ending extended debate within the 134-nation WTO over rival candidates, Moore will hold the job as director-general for three years to be followed by Supachai Panitchpakdi, Thailand's vice prime minister. Moore said he was working on a budget to aid WTO participation by poorer nations and that some of the funds would come from the WTO. He said that some 30 nations need special help, saying some ``can't even afford to have a representative in Geneva.' ``While I'm unbiased, as I must be, the poorer, the smaller economies need to have a down payment,' he said. ``They need to get results.' On Nov. 30, WTO ministers begin meeting in Seattle, Washington, for talks aimed at rolling back trade barriers around the world. Moore acknowledged that WTO officials haven't yet finished putting together the agenda for the meeting, which requires whittling down more than 80 proposals. He said agriculture and service industries are two areas that will be discussed but did not reveal others. European Union states reportedly want to discuss 16 areas of world trade. Asian and Pacific groups have pressed for a shorter agenda. The last WTO talks, known as the Uruguay round, lasted seven years. ``About the only thing we agree on is this round must be shorter than Uruguay,' Moore said. ``Some are even saying three years is too long.' Key issues for the Seattle talks include the implementation of major agreements from the Uruguay Round. Asked about China's efforts to become a member of the organization, Moore said it would be a ``splendid achievement' if that was accomplished in the next three years. Asked whether labor standards could be an issue at the Seattle round, Moore would say only that the WTO would work more closely with the International Labor Organization and other international bodies. He also said he would like up to five deputy director-generals to form a cabinet-style management team for the WTO.