Promises, promises: liberalization at Apec summit is heavily hedged

Article Abstract:

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in the Philippines was closed with Philippine president Fidel Ramos insisting that the forum had moved 'from vision to action'. However, trade barriers are still in place and an agenda for new trade negotiations under the World Trade Organization has not been set. Apec leaders asked for the World Trade Organization conference to conclude an Information Technology Agreement proposed by the US, although there was opposition from China, Malaysia and Chile. Other discussions are leading to positive actions which will facilitate trade, such as the harmonization of tariff categories.

Other Regional Groups, Planning, International economic relations, Pacific Area cooperation

---

Riling Ramos

Article Abstract:

President Fidel Ramos of the Philippines could not allow Jose Ramos-Horta, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and leader of East Timor, to stay in his country during the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit meeting in November 1996 because it might have upset the President of Indonesia, Suharto. According to diplomats in the Philippines, Suharto might not have attended the summit if Ramos-Horta had been welcomed. The Manila People's Forum on Apec, who want Ramos-Horta to be their guest, are contesting the decision in court.

Philippines, Philippine foreign relations, Travel, Ramos-Horta, Jose

---

Helping each other

Article Abstract:

Deputy prime minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, has openly demonstrated his support for the new president of Indonesia, B.J. Habibie. Both men have worked together to promote Islam in a moderate and progressive way and encourage a civil stability in the region. Singapore is concerned about the close ties between Malaysia and Indonesia and the focus that is put on Islam. The people are also worried because Singapore's new leaders do not have the same close links with Malaysia or Indonesia.

Intnl Political Relations, Political aspects, International relations, Malaysia, Asia, Anwar, Ibrahim, Malaysian foreign relations, Habibie, B.J.

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Broke but in business. More like a whimper: Seoul liberalization falls short of 'Big Bang' billing. Cleaning up the act
• Abstracts: Ill at ease: fresh speculation breaks out over Suharto's health. Driven by dissent
• Abstracts: The reckoning. The philosopher-boss: Acer chairman makes hi-tech sound simple. Naming by numbers
• Abstracts: Small investors urged to avoid Thailand: market correction is expected after stocks jump to unrealistic heights
• Abstracts: Discrete-continuous scheduling problems - mean completion time results. On a methodology for discrete-continuous scheduling

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.