IMMEDIATE
CYPHER/CAT A
GRS 800
FROM UKREP BRUSSELS 178096OZ
RESTRICTED
FRAME EXTERNAL
RESTRICTED
336
17
гра
DESKBY 171220Z (FCO AND ALL ADVANCE COPY ADDRESSEES)
TO IMMEDIATE FCO TELNO 6911 OF 17TH NOVEMBER 1977
INFO UKMIS GENEVA,
TEXTILES: MFA DRAFT BILATERAL AGREEMENT.
(ARTICLE 113 COMMITTEE 10-11 NOVEMBER)
SUMMARY.
1. THE COMMISSION MADE ONLY LIMITED CONCESSIONS IN RESPONSE TO COMMENTS MADE BY MEMBER STATES ON MONDAY (REPORTED IN TELNO 6833). THERE WAS ALSO DISCUSSION ON A 'FLEXIBLE' AGREEMENT DESIGNED FOR
SMALL SUPPLIERS.
DISCUSSION.
(A) THE 'FLEXIBLE AGREEMENT
2. THE COMMISSION ON TUESDAY CIRCULATED A REVISED DRAFT (COPIES BY BAG) OF A 'FLEXIBLE' AGREEMENT WHICH THEY PROPOSE TO OFFER TO THOSE SUPPLIERS WHO WOULD NOT BE SUBJECT TO ANY INITIAL QUOTAS. THIS. REPLACED AN EARLIER DRAFT CIRCULATED LAST WEEK BUT NOT PREVIOUSLY EXAMINED BY THE 113 COMMITTEE, THE COMMISSION ASKED FOR AN IMMEDIATE DISCUSSION AS THEY INTENDED TO INITIAL AN AGREEMENT WITH INDONESIA VERY SHORTLY (OUR TEL NO 6860 REFERS).
3. WE PROTESTED AT THE COMMISSION'S INTENTION TO PROCEED WITH THE INITIALLING OF AGREEMENTS BEFORE THE COUNCIL WAS ABLE TO JUDGE THE OVERALL EFFECT OF ALL THE PROPOSED AGREEMENTS. ON THE TEXT OF THE FLEXIBLE AGREEMENT WE COMPLAINED ONCE AGAIN ABOUT BEING ASKED TO APPROVE A REVISED DRAFT WITHOUT ADEQUATE TIME FOR CONSIDERATION. MOREOVER THE NEW DRAFT CONTAINED A NUMBER OF HIGHLY CONTENTIOUS PROVISIONS.(EG ON THE BASKET EXTRACTOR) WHICH WERE STILL UNDER
/ DISCUSSION
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