APEC leaders worry e-commerce will leave some behind

Police guard the APEC convention center in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei, on Tuesday

From staff and wire reports

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei (CNN) -- Expanding global trade and the regional benefits of e-commerce dominated the start of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Wednesday, but leaders of the 21 nations gathered in Brunei also pressed U.S. President Bill Clinton on the uncertain U.S. presidential election.

Clinton said he was asked in the convention hall corridors about the recount, and responded it was no cause for concern.

"There will be a full counting according to legal process in America. We have plenty of time, nothing to worry about," Clinton said. "I think other leaders should have the same reaction the American people have. I think they are pretty relaxed and are going to let the process play out."

VIDEO CNN's Kelly Wallace describes the digital divide among APEC nations Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)     RESOURCES What is APEC?     ALSO Clinton calls for new WTO talks Brunei hopes summit helps entice tourists     MESSAGE BOARD Clinton's trip to Vietnam

Clinton met with Russian President Vladimir Putin and South Korean President Kim Dae-jung on Wednesday.

APEC's smaller nations voiced concern at the summit that they would be left behind in the global sweep of e-commerce, while the group's more developed nations -- including the United States, Japan and Canada -- would reap the benefits.

Clinton said it was necessary to ensure that e-commerce benefits all countries.

"In reality the most successful countries were not those who started with the biggest advantages, but those that made the advantages they had, by opening their markets and ultimately their societies," he said. "That is why APEC has been a force for free markets."

E-commerce a key issue

Most of APEC members are oil importers worried that recent prices above $30 per barrel will hurt their economies.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries refused this week to commit to any production increases that could bring prices lower. OPEC even hinted it might cut output early next year.

South Korean President Kim Dae-jung, right, shakes hands with Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo before the APEC summit

APEC has thus far had a muted response.

The explosive growth of e-commerce, with no clear rules for how it will be governed internationally, remains a key issue and one that U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky predicted will be crucial in coming years.

Pacific Rim economies are well-positioned to cash in from the high-tech boom, but some poorer countries say they are being left behind in a "digital divide."

APEC is sticking with its goals of fair-and-free trade on both sides of the Pacific Rim, by 2010 for developed nations and by 2020 for developing nations.

APEC members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

CNN White House Correspondents Kelly Wallace and Major Garrett, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Pacific Rim leaders face economic issues at APEC summit
November 14, 2000
Political, economic pressures weigh on APEC meeting
November 11, 2000
APEC leaders to pledge expanded Internet access, says newspaper
November 7, 2000

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