Wolfowitz demands sacrifices for trade talks

XIANGHE, China (Reuters) – World Bank President Paul
Wolfowitz called on rich countries on Saturday to make painful
concessions in world trade talks to help lift 1.2 billion
people around the world out of abject poverty.

Wolfowitz said the talks would fail unless all countries
gave ground to reach an outline deal at a meeting in Hong Kong
in December of the 148 member nations of the World Trade
Organization.

The negotiations, which began in 2001, have been stalled by
disagreements between rich and poor countries, mainly over how
quickly developed states should cut support they give their
farmers, which Wolfowitz said is worth $260 billion a year.

“It’s not an exaggeration to say that 1.2 billion people
living in extreme poverty need a result from Hong Kong,”
Wolfowitz told reporters during a break in weekend talks among
finance ministers from 20 rich and developing countries.

Without greater access to Western markets for their
produce, many poor countries would remain dependent forever on
aid. Wolfowitz said this was not a solution.

“These are difficult issues and it may be uncomfortable for
many here to step forward and give up subsidies and other
barriers to free trade.

“But that temporary discomfort is as nothing compared to
the daily discomfort and deprivation of the poorest people of
the world. They are counting on us. We must deliver results for
them,” he said.