Better stalemate than checkmate says negotiator

Unlike many delegations, Belize did not have to go far to attend the fifth ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization, now underway in Cancun. As with virtually all previous meetings, the Cancun gathering attracted its share of protesters, but inside the conference hall, it was internal conflict that has prevented substantial progress toward new international agreements on trade. The Caribbean is attempting to negotiate as a bloc and Belize is speaking for the region on matters relating to agriculture. According to a government release, Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade, Eamon Courtenay, addressed the agricultural working group meeting last night. He advocated that special treatment must be given to developing countries, particularly the smallest and weakest, and that such consideration must form an integral part of the outcome of the W.T.O. negotiations. Indications are that there has been very little compromise on agricultural issues and most players and blocs remained fixed in their opinions. According to the release, Belize maintained the position that “no result at Cancun is better than a bad result.”