[asia-apec 965] Anwar Ibrahim and APEC (fwd)

[Jaggi Singh]

The following was posted to the Student Activist Network listserv based
mainly in North America. For the record, while the post is critical of
Anwar`s unabashed free market views, that`s not meant to imply that
somehow he deserves what is now happening to him. It is clear that the
case against Anwar is a farce and unjust. However, much of the West`s
whining about Anwar recently has been incredibly self-serving and
hypocritical. -- JBS

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 10 Dec 1998 14:24:42 -0400 (AST)
From: Penny Mc Call Howard <pmchowar at is2.dal.ca>
Subject: san: Anwar Ibrahim and APEC

Completely randomly, I came across this pro-APEC speech by Anwar Ibrahim,
the Malaysian guy recently made the focus of "pro-human rights comments"  
by al gore and jean chretien at APEC 1998 in Malaysia.

Interesting to note that despite all the rhetoric, they were simply
wanting to protect their buddies. Penny.

*********************************************************************
Remarks by Anwar Ibrahim at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland,
28 January 1995. 

Will APEC be East Asia's Future Growth Engine?

It is very important to stress, although it may be stating the obvious to
some, that APEC was conceived as a means to make the most from the booming
economies of East Asia. There is no doubt that East Asian countries will
gain tremendous benefits from APEC, but we must not be under the illusion
that they wish to confine their dealings to members of APEC. The European
Union will remain a major trading partner and constructive engagement
between the two will continue. We in ASEAN have agreed to pursue the
proposal to hold an East Asia-Europe Summit in Singapore sometime next
year. We are also vigorously looking into the emerging markets -- South
Asia, Latin America and South Africa.

APEC will never be transformed into an exclusivist bloc, as feared by
some, as such a move will be vehemently opposed by its East Asian members.
East Asian countries have prospered through open multilateral trade and it
would be detrimental to their own interests to undermine the very
foundation of their economic achievement. Neither would any one of them, I
believe, take kindly to the slightest indication to use APEC as an
instrument for any of its members to pursue her geopolitical objectives.

The precise Malaysian position is to help make it clear at the outset what
APEC should not be, that no member should entertain the idea of APEC as an
instrument of trade leverage to meet the narrow agenda of member
countries, neither should it be a substitute to the multilateral trading
system under the WTO.

One must not lose sight of the fact that growth in the level of economic
interaction in the Asia-Pacific, led by private sector, has preceded any
kind of institutionalization. Malaysia is all for further growth in
economic and other relationships in the Asia-Pacific in which the private
sector has shown its capability to lead. Economic history has proven the
benefits of free markets and open competition in bringing about
prosperity, and the cost of clumsy over-intervention by government which
has, more often than not, stymied growth.

The Bogor declaration has proven that APEC has the capacity to become a
force to serve the cause of free trade and our support for it must be
unqualified. Yet one must not forget that while the benefits of free trade
are obvious, the passage to it is seldom plain sailing. Today the
strongest resistance against liberalization has more often than not come
from institutionalized industrial and agricultural interests and union
lobbies in North America and Europe.

Malaysia for one is all for liberalization and in recent years we have
progressively liberated the economy as well as our trade, in the belief
that this would ensure our sustained growth in the long term and, more
importantly, ensure the sharing of wealth. In the APEC context, there is
appreciation of different stages and levels of development and certain
counries must be given the opportunity and the time to undertake
adjustments. Thus any schedule that involves the imposition on the
sovereign rights of any country would mar the spirit of consensus which
should be the mode in APEC's deliberations. Constructive consultation and
continued engagement must be the modus operandi to arrive at true
commitment. We all have, after all, made commitments under the GATT,
however arduous the process and we must now all, under the aegis of the
WTO, fulfill our obligations.

The challenge before the Osaka Summit this year is not only to come up
with measures to accelerate the integration of economies of the
Asia-Pacific region, but also to vigorously draw into the development
mainstream many economies within East Asia which until now had been on the
periphery. This is very important to avoid the perception that APEC is
only a club for the super rich and the nouveaux riches. Thus we must be
committed to reduce economic disparities within the region. The peace in
Indo China must be made to work through economic growth; inward-looking
regimes must be constructively engaged. We must also look beyond East Asia
to forge partnerships with the reforming economies in South Asia.

We believe that the diffusion of growth can be effectively accelerated
through open regionalism. Within Asean, we have seen the enormous
potential of growth in the less developed areas of member countries
through the establishment of regional growth triangles. Similarly, the
establishment of AFTA is a regional initiative to facilitate the passage
of economic liberalization in Asean. We believe it is only through this
stage by stage approach rather than an impulsive headlong rush that we can
make substantial progress in economic liberalization. Malaysia's proposal,
now adopted by Asean, to establish the East Asia Economic Caucus (EAEC) as
a strong voice for open regionalism and free trade would certainly
complement APEC objectives.

Finally, while the focus in APEC and in similar efforts is primarily
economic, we must not lose sight of the fact that development is a
multifaceted endeavour. As the economic integration of the region
progresses, we must have the confidence to deal with complex issues of
society and culture. The economic cooperation in the Pacific can provide a
workable basis for increased understanding and enriching intercultural
engagement.

Thank you.