The Hindu : Cong. blames rich nations for Cancun deadlock

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 16, 2003

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Cong. blames rich nations for Cancun deadlock

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI SEPT. 15. The Congress today reacted positively to the manner in which India's case at the WTO Ministerial meet at Cancun was handled and charged that the "naked self-interest and self-righteousness approach of the rich countries" was solely responsible for the deadlock.

"The unreasonable approach of the rich countries represented by Europe and the United States can be judged from the fact that they were not prepared to reduce subsidy level to their farmers while insisting upon opening of markets of the developing countries to their agricultural produce," the party spokesman, S. Jaipal Reddy, said.

Asked whether the Congress was appreciative of the role of the Commerce Minister, Arun Jaitely, he said it was not a question of giving a certificate. "We told the Government not to compromise on agriculture and they did not, so we are happy," he said.

Mr. Reddy said the rich countries provide $8 billions as subsidy for agriculture and the U.S. gave $2.5 billions as annual subsidy for its 25,000 cotton farmers. With this kind of subsidy these countries wanted the market of the developing countries be opened.

It was a matter of gratification that the developing countries, led by India, Brazil and China, stood in unison and resisted the pressures of the rich countries. It was heartening to note that even African countries have added their voice.

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