[asia-apec 519] WTO: Former NZ Prime Minister & Top Trade Position

[Gatt Watchdog]

>From The Press (Christchurch, NZ) 20/7/98

Moore reticent about top trade position - by Sinead O'Hanlon

Talk of the World Trade Organisation's top job leaves Mike Moore
unusually reticent.

The Waimakariri MP has arrived in Geneva amid international
speculation that he would be in the running for the
director-general's job.

Mr Moore said he was in Switzerland with his wife, Yvonne, and her
mother for a holiday as well as "all sorts of political business".

The WTO began its selection process for a new leader at its base
in Geneva last week after announcing that the present
director-general, Italian Renato Ruggiero, would retire next year.

Mr Moore initially gave a "firm no comment" when asked whether he
was considering going for the job.

Neither would he comment on what type of candidate he would
support for the position.

Eventually, Mr Moore said he needed to speak to the Government and
his Labour Party colleagues before making further comment when he
returns to New Zealand next week.

As a former prime minister and trade and foreign affairs minister,
Mr Moore has maintained a strong involvement in the world trade
scene.

In 1995, the then Minister of Trade, Philip Burdon, was tipped as
a candidate for the inaugural post which eventually went to
Mr Ruggiero.

At that time, it was suggested that WTO delegates would prefer Mr
Moore to Mr Burdon but any chance of Mr Moore becoming a candidate
was ruled out by Prime Minister Jim Bolger.