Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, November 21, 1993 TAG: 9311210044
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BLAKE ISLAND, WASH. LENGTH: Medium
"We've agreed that the Asian-Pacific region should be a united one, not divided," said President Clinton, summarizing for the 14 leaders. "We've agreed that our economic policies should be open, not closed."
He added that the group hopes to see long-stalled world trade talks wrapped up by a Dec. 15 deadline.
On the final day of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, the leaders issued a "joint vision statement" espousing freer trade and more global economic growth. The declaration was short on specific commitments.
"Our meeting reflects the emergence of a new voice for the Asia Pacific in world affairs," the statement said. "Our economies are moving toward interdependence, and there is a growing state of community among us."
As the meeting broke up, Clinton told reporters APEC would meet again in Indonesia next year, accepting an invitation from President Suharto.
For the United States, the APEC conference marked a historic turn toward Asia, with the fastest-growing economies in the world, and less emphasis on Europe, struggling with sickly economies.
Never before had so many Asian leaders assembled in the same place.
Clinton, flanked by casually dressed colleagues with a Puget Sound backdrop, said the informal three-hour morning session had enabled the group "to forge a stronger regional identity and a stronger purpose."
He also said he was "struck by how many priorities we share" - among them economic growth, freer trade, environmental protection, and better education and jobs.
"Of course we will not always agree on how to achieve those goals," he said. "But at least now, for the first time, our region has a means to hold serious policy discussions on such questions as how to remove trade barriers or how to sustain robust growth."
The leaders - representing nations accounting for half the world's output of goods and services - directed their finance ministers to meet to discuss global economic trends and specific trade issues.
They also asked business leaders of the Pacific Rim to set up a "Pacific Business Forum" to help promote regional commerce.
Asked about difficult U.S.-Japanese trade relations, Clinton predicted progress "by next June or July, certainly by a year from now" on efforts to trim the huge U.S.-Japan trade imbalance - $49.6 billion last year.
On another subject, Clinton said South Korean President Kim Young Sam would meet with him in Washington on Tuesday to discuss a new initiative to try to open North Korean nuclear sites to international inspection. "It is a source of concern to us," he said.
by CNB