How we set out to 'help' our underdeveloped neighbours

By Rawiri Taonui

Essentially Apec is a game of poker played between developed and undeveloped nations in our region. Collectively the developed nations, which exert the greater control over the world's economy, hold most of the cards.

The crux of Apec is that underdeveloped countries want to be like developed countries and developed countries like ourselves want to assist them to reach this goal as long we make more money out of the process than they do.

We give them loans and aid on condition that they buy from us the expensive goods they require to develop the infrastructure to become like us. We also demand access to apply our capital investment to their natural and human resources at rates favourable to us.

As part of mutual economic benefit we allow undeveloped nations access to sell their cheaper goods in our markets but again only on terms favourable to ourselves.

There is no doubt that the economic advantage works in our favour. Western countries are 20 per cent of the world's population but consume 80 per cent of its resources and wealth. Undeveloped countries are 80 per cent of the world's population but consume only 20 per cent of its resources and wealth. This is why undeveloped nations never quite catch up and why our standard of living depends on them not doing so.

On a personal level, the cheap goods we buy, made by people working for $3 a day, allow us to spend our hard-earned dollars on the other items keen Western consumers really need. In this way our fetishes for clothes and shoes, sports cars, nice houses, weird and ever-changing hairstyles set a standard to which individuals in undeveloped countries can aspire.

If we feel bad about our personal indulgences we have the option of donating 50c a day or something like that to numerous charities which help to send young people in undeveloped nations off to school to learn how to be like us - and the cycle continues.

The price we pay for our advantage is that every now and then we have to bail out an underdeveloped country with funds held by the International Monetary Fund, usually on condition that more economic policies are implemented favourable to the West.

From time to time it may also be necessary to turn a blind eye towards the misbehaviour of the foreign elites we cultivate during the process. If, on occasion, they step too far out of line we may have to replace them with someone else. That is usually a complicated business and can take some time.

This year's Apec forum is a regional renegotiation and reshuffling of the cards. Human rights are not formally on the Apec agenda. However, 200,000 deaths since 1975 in East Timor is too important to ignore. The deal brokered between the United Nations and Indonesian President Habibie for a democratic referendum on independence from Indonesia has been a disaster.

In the face of extreme terror, the East Timorese have done their part. Some 90 per cent turned out to vote with more than 75 per cent voting for independence. The international and regional community has an obligation to honour their courage and commitment. Apec must send an unequivocal message to President Habibie that the massacres in East Timor are not acceptable.

Prime Minister Jenny Shipley and Foreign Minister Don McKinnon will work overtime on East Timor, mostly behind the scenes and most likely taking a lead from the Americans. Nevertheless, New Zealand has a real opportunity to show some leadership. National will also have an eye on an election date that a favourable outcome might influence.

Three outcomes are certain. First, there will be a strong statement on East Timor and nothing more. The United Nations will be left to sort out if and when peace-enforcing troops are sent there. Secondly, there will be a declaration about mutual economic benefit which we won't really understand. And thirdly, someone from one of the delegations will do something really offensive and get away with it. Trade and the morality of human rights make for a strange political potpourri. I can't wait to read next week's Heralds.

* Rawiri Taonui is a lecturer in history at Auckland University.