George to Glo: You’re a big shot

DAVOS, Switzerland (via PLDT) — US President George W. Bush told President Arroyo that she was a "big shot" because of her presence at the World Economic Forum (WEF) here, and humbly called himself "just a little shot."

Twenty-four heads of state and government and 800 business executives from 90 countries attended this year’s WEF.

When Bush learned that Mrs. Arroyo was here for the World Economic Forum, he said, ‘You are a big shot’," Press Secretary Ignacio Bunye said.

"‘You should be here’," Bunye quoted Mrs. Arroyo as saying, to which Bush replied: "No, I’m not a big shot. I am just a little shot." Bunye said the two presidents were on a first-name basis during their cordial phone conversation.

The White House called on Friday afternoon here (10:55 p.m. Manila time) primarily to congratulate Mrs. Arroyo on her successes in the fight against the terrorist group Abu Sayyaf in Mindanao, which has links to the al-Qaeda.

One of the main items on the agenda at the WEF was how to push forward the Doha Round of Talks.

Mrs. Arroyo informed Bush that the G33, including India, was willing for the US to come out with a proposed package on what the US, Europe and India and the rest of the G33 would give in terms of market access.

"Bush said he would ask the US representative in Davos to look into that," Bunye said.

The G33, which includes the Philippines, represents 42 countries concerned about food security and farmers’ livelihood in developing nations.

The Doha Round of WTO talks were stalled because the US, European nations and other WTO members such as Brazil, India, Japan and Australia were unable to reach agreement on key issues such as farm tariffs.

The Doha free trade talks aim to lift millions around the world out of poverty by lowering trade barriers across all sectors, with particular emphasis on developing nations.

Mrs. Arroyo, as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, has called for the immediate resumption of the WTO talks and said the Philippines and ASEAN were ready for global trade.

"At a time when the Doha round is faltering, ASEAN wants to stand up and proclaim its support for keeping the doors of global trade open. And ASEAN is committed to expanding its trade area to create one of the world’s great trading blocs," Mrs. Arroyo said in a statement read before delegates to the WEF.