Summary
W.L.E. Quaedvlieg
Wat te doen met de scherven van Seattle?
W.L.E. Quaedvlieg presents several factors behind the disappointment of the WTO Summit in Seattle, amongst which the significant differences of opinion between the WTO Member States on the agenda for the Millennium Round; the rather negative attitude of the United States; and the WTO, that had devloped into a conventient focus of the discontent from non-governmental organizations. The pieces of Seattle have to be picked up and turned into positive action. The author foresees that the year 2000 will be a breathing space; a good time for preparing the required reform of the WTO decision-making process in order to strengthen public support for the World Trade Organisation. It all comes down to a balancing act between ratio and emotions.