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WEF concludes, but sans solutions!

Dharam Shourie in New York

Business, industry and political titans packed their bags after five days of discussions in New York on a variety of issues - fighting terrorism, giving a human face to globalisation, easing poverty, resolving international conflicts - but failed to reach conclusions.

The power cynosures left for their respective destination Monday in their luxury jets without finding solutions to the issues discussed since Thursday at the World Economic Forum's 32nd annual meeting the Big Apple.

However, discussions over sumptuous feasts did offer some food for thought and helped the leaders understand the respective perspective. Issues, such as, global fight against terror and poverty eradication found a common condemnation.

On political front, European and Arab allies of the US conveyed muted protest to Washington's stand that it would take its war on terrorism to other countries after Afghanistan, if need arose.

The US allies demanded Washington exercise its influence in settling the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Concerns were raised that globalisation has failed to benefit the under-privileged and corporations should own their social responsibilities while not depending on governments.

However, giving qualified support to globalisation, UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, while addressing the WEF closing session said, "I believe that perceptive is wrong - and that globalisation, so far from being the cause of poverty and other social ills, offers the best hope of overcoming them."

Annan warned that the September 11 attacks exposed the wide gap between the rich and the poor nations. The business community and the governments, he said, ought to give hope to those struggling for survival in developing countries. Or else, Annan added, world might embrace anarchy and conflict.

Investments wisely made, can bring social welfare within reach, not only of a few but of many and eventually, of all, Annan said.

This was the first time in the 31-year history of the Forum that annual meeting was held outside Swiss ski resort of Davos. The idea was to show solidarity with New York, hit hard by the September terrorist attack.

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