PACIFIC RIM

APEC Backs U.S. Plan to Trim Technology Tariffs: Asian rim nations have decided to support a U.S.-proposed plan to eliminate tariffs on computers, software, telecommunications and other similar products, officials said. Senior officials from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum agreed the group’s 18 members would benefit from the proposal, the officials said. But they urged flexibility in implementing a deadline of 2000 suggested by the United States. The United States hopes that APEC support for the proposal, called the Information Technology Agreement, will help it win approval from the World Trade Organization. APEC members are to meet with members of the European Union in Geneva on Oct. 28 to discuss what products should be included in the agreement.