Lamy proclaimed new WTO chief

Former European Union trade chief Pascal Lamy was effectively proclaimed next head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) yesterday when his only remaining rival pulled out.

Mr Lamy, who saw off the challenges of three developing country candidates in the race for the top job in world trade, will be formally appointed head of the Geneva-based trade organisation on May 26 or 27, diplomats said.

His last opponent, Uruguayan diplomat Carlos Perez del Castillo, announced his withdrawal after a special selection panel of three trade diplomats declared that Mr Lamy had the most support among the WTO's 148 members.

Under new WTO rules, drawn up to avoid a repetition of the bitterness of the last leadership contest, the panel was asked to sound out members and decide which candidate was strongest.

"I recommend that the forthcoming meeting... appoint Mr Pascal Lamy as the next director-general of the WTO," said Kenyan ambassador Amina Mohamed, who had chaired the panel.

Perez del Castillo, a well-respected former chairman of the WTO's executive General Council, told journalists that he had telephoned Mr Lamy to congratulate him.

Mr Lamy will take over from incumbent Supachai Panitchpakdi for a four-year term starting on September 1, just four months before the WTO faces a deadline for key deals in its struggling Doha Round of free trade negotiations.