Archive - 2003

There is so much dissatisfaction and anger among so many developing countries that the usual attempt used at Ministerials by the major developed countries to bulldoze through a text at the last minute may not work this time.

Cancun's most important decision will be whether or not to launch negotiations on the 'new issues' or 'Singapore issues': investment, competition, transparency in government procurement, trade facilitation.

'After so many comments and declarations of sympathy with our cause from the WTO secretariat and many ministers, the mountain gave birth to a mouse... no, not even a mouse, an ant!' -Francois Traor

In the case of the ongoing negotiations of services, of which the European economies are a major producer and exporter, the leaked text wants to add a strict timeline for the process to reach final conclusions.

Progress in agriculture would allow for developing countries to make some concession in other areas of interest to developed countries, such as non-agriculture products, where poor countries are being asked to lower their import tariffs.

Hosted by deputy USTR Chris Padilla (sp?); speakers inlcuded deputy USTR Chris Mendenhall on Service/ Investment and Kathy Novelli, deputy USTR for Europe/ Mediterranean.

One of the Protocol's major provisions embodies the 'Precautionary Principle', recognizing that a country can forbid importation when there is not sufficient information or research results to do an adequate assessment.

Ministers representing seventy developing countries have issued a statement that there is no explicit consensus on commencing negotiations on modalities on the Singapore Issues.

Brazillian Minister, Celso Amorim, said that the G21 was 'fully satisfied' that the Conference Chair will ensure that the contribution of the Group will be considered in the agenda and work programme of the Conference.

A group of Korean farmers rammed a steel barricade on the road that was meant to prevent protestors from entering the zone.