The editorial "Keeping the G-7 relevant" on June 12 points out the salient points of the G-7 summits.

The aim and purpose of the summit of the G-5, when first initiated by French President Valery Giscard d'Estaing in 1975, was for the leaders of the major industrial and economic powers to get together in Rembouillet in France informally to primarily discuss over good food the global economic issues in a relaxed atmosphere. It was then an idea whose time had come.

Forty years have elapsed since then and it (G-5 to G-7 to G-8 and back to G-7) has deviated from its original concept and developed into a toothless super council of seven countries to take turns to hold an annual summit to issue ambiguous and ineffective statements in magnificent words on a wide range of issues encompassing economy, politics, disputes (bilateral and multilateral), war, sanctions, human rights and even morality!

Perhaps the time has come for the G-7 to be amalgamated withthe G-20 and draw up a modern day Magna Carta for global economic affairs for all to see and follow.

U THET TUN

Ota Ward, Tokyo

The opinions expressed in this letter to the editor are the writer's own and do not necessarily reflect the policies of The Japan Times.