WTO Confirms Doha As Site Of November Conference

ByJohn S. McClenahen Mike Moore, director-general of the Geneva-based World Trade Organization (WTO), says the group plans to meet as scheduled in Doha, Qatar, next month. Because of continuing concern over terrorism, there had been wide speculation that the WTO would seek an alternative to Qatar, a Middle East nation, for the Nov. 9-13 meeting. "I am confident with the planning and preparations . . . in Doha," says Moore. The gathering of trade ministers from 142 nations promises to be one of the WTO's most significant. The WTO expects to formally approve China's membership in the global trade organization and to launch a new round of international trade negotiations.