TRADE-CARIBBEAN: WTO Holds the Spotlight as ACP Summit Opens

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Wesley Gibbings

SANTO DOMINGO, Nov 25 1999 (IPS) - The focus fell as much on imminent World Trade Organisation (WTO) negotiations as it did on a post Lome IV arrangement when the 71- member African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group opened its second-ever Summit Thursday.

In some instances, it was difficult to separate sweeping castigation of what was more than once described as the “new world economic order” under the umbrella of the WTO and some negotiating positions being adopted by the European Union (EU).

Some room for manoeuvre on the question of the phased introduction of a new EU/ACP paradigm however seemed to come from Co-President of the ACP-EU Assembly, John Corrie, who argued in favour of “a longer transitional phase” for the introduction of a new regime than was originally envisaged.

Corrie said that any period less than 10 years in duration was “not realistic” and that the positions being discussed should be viewed as “principles” and not as “hard rules.”

There has been mounting pressure on ACP member states to accelerate their preparation for a new EU/ACP Accord following the expiration of the Lome IV Agreement at the end of February next year.

In fact, the Finnish Environment Minister, Satu Hassi, speaking on behalf of the President of the European Council, Paavo Lipponen, said an extension of Lome IV was “not an option.”

Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister, Basdeo Panday, peaking on behalf of the Caribbean Group, however said the EU should not allow itself to be “intimidated by the United States and the WTO into abandoning its ACP partners.”

Referring to discussion centred around the establishing of distinct African, Caribbean and Pacific relations with the EU, Panday charged that there appeared to be a “plan to split us up if they can.”

Corrie seemed to have alluded to the suggestion in his speech when he spoke of “distinct regional differences in the ACP”.

Similar language is contained in EU negotiating positions being advanced during the post-Lome IV discussions, but successive ACP speakers Thursday called for increased solidarity among the members of the grouping.

Prince Real Ulukalala Lavaka-Ata of Tonga, speaking for the Pacific Group, nevertheless warned that there was sometimes “a divergence in views” among ACP countries including how they were prepared to deal with the prospect of new WTO global trading positions.

He called for greater solidarity, but also greater recognition of the need for the ACP group “to take stock of its visions”.

He called on ACP leaders to ask searching questions about the future of the grouping especially in the face of WTO negotiations.

It was a theme which also ran through the presentation of outgoing ACP Secretary-General Ng’andu Magande who said the ACP “must work at strengthening (itself) to make it an important player in world affairs”.

The President of Madagascar, Didier Ratsiraka, earned himself sustained applause when he suggested that the ACP needed to consolidate its positions in the face of the “totalitarian regime” of globalisation.

He said that after “shaking off the yoke of colonialism”, ACP countries now faced a new regime which, he said, “seems to be a dictatorship”.

“Should we just sit back and continue to suffer (from the impact of) history?” he asked, stressing that if the WTO process were left intact, “it will impose its rules on all humanity”.

He said the objectives of adequate high educational standards, proper health care and the preservation of the environment were all becoming “objects of trade” with all its implications for the human development process.

“We are poor,” he said. “If they take away our dignity what do we have left? à Nada! Nada! Nada!” “We will go back to slavery,” he declared.

Former ACP Secretary-General Edwin Carrington however told IPS he was confident that a united ACP could considerably strengthen the negotiating position of under- developed and developing countries during WTO negotiations.

A Draft Declaration prepared for the ACP leaders pronounces strongly on the WTO talks which reach a critical point in the United States next week when Trade Ministers from across the globe get down to detailed discussions on a way forward for the WTO.

“Any declaration at this stage which brings together a grouping of 71 developing countries en route to Seattle (USA) is a strengthening,” Carrington said.

Host President, Leonel Fernandez, warned that if all WTO positions were taken fully on board it would place countries such as the ACP membership in a “state of disadvantage.”

The ACP leaders will on Friday issue a declaration representing consensus on a new accord with Europe and a possible joint position ahead of the Seattle meeting.

Several sticking points were reportedly resolved during official discussions earlier this week, including the wording of one declaration on the issue of good governance which is being approached by Europe as an indispensable component of a new agreement.

Diplomats here told IPS initial drafts had not reflected the peculiar circumstances of some member states, especially strife-torn areas of sub-Saharan Africa.

“It’s all settled now, however,” one African official told IPS. “We have found the language to make it acceptable to everyone.”

As the ACP states approach Seattle, some officials however say it is going to be much more than a question of language and words.