Gatt chief appeals to world powers

GENEVA (Reuter) - The Gatt chief, Peter Sutherland, said the major powers could make or break a new world trade treaty, and called for leadership to ensure an accord was completed by a mid-December deadline.

He urged South-East Asian countries to play a full part in efforts by the 116 states involved to agree a big package of more liberal trade rules. 'We need leadership and a larger share of the movement must lie with the major players,' Mr Sutherland told the Uruguay Round's steering body, the Trade Negotiations Committee.

'We do not have the luxury of continuing with an interminable negotiating process.' he said.