THE number of applications to join the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) group has swollen this month, before the meeting in Seattle where the blueprint for the group's future is to be established.
But the surge in potential members has triggered a new row in the group, with some believing this formative time is not appropriate for expanding membership.
Assistant US Trade Representative Nancy Adams said yesterday that APEC was fielding an increasing number of applications, from countries and private sector groups, as it was itself finding its direction.
From Washington, Ms Adams said: ''In recent weeks we have heard from a number of people wanting to be members or observers.
''There is a very active debate about how to address all these promising countries who would like to join in the process, without harming our ability to produce results when we know our credibility really is on the line.
''The US has not taken a position, and we are trying to broker an APEC consensus and that frankly has not been an easy task,'' she said.
APEC growth is just one of a raft of big issues on the table at next month's meeting, already awash in controversy over plans to tag on an informal leaders' summit meeting.