Leaders from the 21-member APEC economies began their annual summit here Wednesday during which they will consider a ministerial action plan supporting a new round of global free trade talks.
US President Bill Clinton said in a speech here Wednesday morning the World Trade Organization talks "ought to happen as early as possible next year."
The proposed wording for the leaders' declaration however only sets a deadline for a WTO agenda to be set by the end of next year.
As the leaders arrived they drove between lines of men, women and children in traditional dress standing in the hot sun banging a ceremonial hadrah drum.
When the leaders arrived at the International Convention Center in the Bruneian capital they were taken into a private room to be briefed by the Sultan of Brunei, Hassanal Bolkiah, on their agenda over the next two days.
At the end of the briefing the summit was to be adjourned until Thursday morning when the leaders would meet at the luxurious Jerudong Park Polo Club to consider the wording of their declaration -- BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN (AFP)
© 2000 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
