RAHUL BAJAJ WARNS OECD, MIKE MOORE

India Inc rallies behind Supachai

Rohit Bansal

New Delhi, Dec 3: India Inc says, it will oppose “anyone, let alone the developed world, as they try to cut the ground from under the feet of World Trade Organisation director-general-designate Supachai Panitchpakdi”. It has warned that developing countries, and even some developed ones, will be up in arms at this move.

In a detailed interview on behalf of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), and himself, industrialist Rahul Bajaj said, “We are all aware of the long and hard contest between (present D-G) Mike Moore and Supachai in 1999. To protect the interests of the WTO, and also because neither side could get a clean majority, a compromise was arrived at that each of them would be D-G for half the normal tenure. Also, Supachai and his supporters gave so that Mr Moore take the first shot and run the WTO until August 30, 2002”.
“We were therefore alarmed when Supachai during his remarks at the India Economic Summit on Sunday had to take note of baseless rumours floating out of Geneva that he’s no longer interested in the post of D-G and that he would end up remaining in Thai politics.
These vicious rumours will die now, Indian industry, CII and I hope”.
“We believe there is no possibility of having another D-G in place of Supachai...in fact, even the thought is ridiculous and the entire developing world and many developing countries will be up in arms against even the hint of this move,” Mr Bajaj said.

Concerned over this turn of events, and lobbying underway by OECD countries and Mr Moore, so that he continues on the driver’s seat as chairman of the WTO trade negotiation committee (TNC), Mr Bajaj warned that “developing countries, including India, will safeguard their legitimate interest and prevent any indirect attempts in this direction”.

“There’s no question that Mike Moore should be TNC chairman, once he has stepped down as D-G,” Mr Bajaj said, acknowledging that India Inc can’t and won’t oppose Mr Moore, if he holds this position, as a dual charge, until August 30, 2002.

“The spirit of the agreement, which gave each a turn will get defeated if specially after September 1, Mike Moore, who I hold in high regard, takes over as TNC chairman,” Mr Bajaj said, adding, “all right thinking nations, and of course India will ensure that such a step or any other step which dilutes the authority of the D-G after September 1 is not allowed to take place”.

On apprehensions among the OECD that unlike Mr Moore, Mr Supachai remains too much of a spokesman for developing countries, Mr Bajaj said, “we have no doubt that Supachai will be impartial and not pro-developing countries. But neither will he be pro-OECD countries, even as he recognises that he has to work with them amicably, if the work of WTO and its sub-bodies has to move forward efficiently and expeditiously”.