Copyright 2005 The Financial Times Limited
Financial Times (London, England)

May 19, 2005 Thursday
Asia Edition 1

SECTION: LETTERS TO THE EDITOR; Pg. 16

LENGTH: 213 words

HEADLINE: Lamy is the right choice despite baggage from past

BYLINE: By PRADEEP S MEHTA

BODY:


From Mr Pradeep S. Mehta.

Sir, Members of the World Trade Organisation have made a wise choice in electing Pascal Lamy as the next director-general ("Exocet missile may be just the man for the WTO", May 14) to ensure the conclusion of the Doha round.

He has the requisite skills and tenacity of purpose.

His style - that of a hard-nosed negotiator - will perhaps be the quality needed to push countries and groups of countries (including the European Union) towards a deal that can liberalise trade, including the contentious issue of farm subsidies.

In his role as the EU's trade commissioner, he did annoy his own country, France, by offering commitments to reduce farm subsidies over time. It may not have been perfect or as desired by all, but at least it was a progressive move that he steered.

Indeed, Mr Lamy carries the baggage of his past, when he was lobbying for the European Union's agenda. He was being paid to do a job. Surely, one knows he is fairly sanguine about his role as the new director-general, when his salary comes from the WTO, which will require him to be neutral.

One sincerely hopes he will live up to this expectation. If not, the Group of 20 alliance will not be an easy client.

Pradeep S. Mehta, Secretary General, CUTS International, Jaipur 302 016, India

LOAD-DATE: May 18, 2005