EDITORIAL PAGE Poison of protectionism

It will take strong leadership to tackle the vested interests — in all countries — that want protection from competition. Yet we know from experience that the poison of protectionism could aggravate the present economic slowdown. . . . So this is no time for a failure in the area of foreign trade. . . . (Moving GATT negotiations forward) is of major importance to remove uncertainties, restore confidence and achieve gains in output for all countries through an expansion of trade. From an address to the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., by Michel Camdessus, managing director of the International Monetary Fund.