My Dad knows Steven Ching personally and I have met him on a couple of occasions. Trust me, you don't know half of him yet and this character is even worse than you imagined.
WEDNESDAY, 25 MAY 2005
By MARTIN KAY [The DOMINION POST]
Tim Groser looks set to stay in Geneva to shepherd talks worth billions of dollars to New Zealand, after the Government backed away from calls to dump him.
In a letter to the World Trade Organisation's general council, New Zealand representative Tony Lynch says the Government accepts there is a case for Mr Groser to remain as chairman of agriculture negotiations while moves to end subsidies and tariffs approach their climax.
The letter offers to pay for Mr Groser to stay in Geneva till a crucial meeting on the Doha round in July.
"The New Zealand Government places the highest importance and priority to the successful and timely conclusion of the Doha development agenda," Mr Lynch wrote. "(It) would be prepared to consider facilitating Tim's availability to continue a chairing role, should that be the wish of the membership."
The letter contrasts sharply with the furious reaction from Prime Minister Helen Clark and Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton to Mr Groser's decision to stand for National as a list candidate in the election.
That decision meant Mr Groser had to resign as ambassador to the WTO under rules governing public servants standing for Parliament. Mr Sutton described Mr Groser's actions as a "betrayal" and Miss Clark said the Government had no confidence in him staying on as agriculture chairman.
That remark was a clear signal to the WTO's general council – which appointed Mr Groser chairman – that he should be dumped immediately. The chairman's appointment is based on consensus, and Miss Clark was indicating consensus had gone.
She also said the WTO should consider that Mr Groser was appointed chairman because of his role as ambassador, which he no longer held.
A spokeswoman for Mr Sutton denied the letter was a backdown, and said the Government still thought it was inappropriate for someone to stand for Parliament or be an MP while heading a non-partisan WTO post.
The Government realised, however, that Doha was at a delicate stage and it would be difficult to replace Mr Groser.
National leader Don Brash welcomed the letter to the WTO. "We are talking about agricultural trade talks which could be worth billions to New Zealand. You can't throw that away in a fit of pique."