Estrada takes up cause for have-nots

BANGKOK, Thailand -- President Estrada appealed here yesterday to highly industrialized economies to even the playing field in trade.

In his speech at the plenary session of the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Mr. Estrada said fair play can temper those opposed to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"We learned soon enough that by joining the race, we afford ourselves the chance to win... But like all runners, we want the rules to be leveled and fair, from the starting block to the finish line," he said.

"Now, we look to UNCTAD to join this quest with us -- not the Philippines alone but all countries, which, for reasons of history or geography, are late-starters in the game," Mr. Estrada said.

The UNCTAD, which is composed of 188 member-states, imposes no trade rules, but it can exercise moral suasion to ease trade and non-trade barriers.

Before his speech, the President met with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and Japanese Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, who represented developed economies in the UN-ASEAN roundtable discussions.

Their response to the concerns of developing countries, particularly members of ASEAN, was positive, Mr. Estrada said.

The President said Southeast Asia has been riding the wave of globalization for several years now.

ASEAN leaders came to Bangkok, "to affirm their commitment to ride this wave together as one family and as one community," Mr. Estrada said.

"We declare our resolve to stay the course of economic cooperation and closer integration," he added.

The President also thanked Thai deputy prime minister Supatchai, the incoming director-general of the WTO who underscored the significant influence of ASEAN as a trade bloc.