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German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister Gordon Brown
argued Friday for tougher control of the international economy in a
critique of what Europeans see as the dangers of U.S.-style capitalism.
Ms.
Merkel called Friday for the creation of an international economic body
that might lead to the creation of a UN Economic Council "just as the
Security Council was created after the Second World War."
In a
speech to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, she blamed
the credit crunch and resulting global economic meltdown on
"irresponsible speculation." The German chancellor said unfettered
capitalism without enforceable global standards would run enormous
risks.
In his address, Mr. Brown warned against any moves toward
protectionism. He also urged political and corporate leaders to "stand
by those who are most vulnerable" and help the world's poor.
In
his remarks Friday, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed to the
global elite audience not to forget the "bottom billion" even as
governments are straining to strengthen their own financial systems.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
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