Yes.
tite attendance in some cases). While DAE preferences were Important, they should not always prevail in setting the agenda; sooner or later we would have to broach subjects they considered sensitive. US and Canada generally agreed, though they and others did not want the DAEs to feel hurried, let alone harrassed. Some asked whether Eastern Europeans were expected to attend the newly proposed seminar. Taniguchi thought the DAES did not want this. They wished to hear OECD's own assessment of the impact of Eastern European developments on the world economy, ie on OECD and the DAES.
10. Paye (OECD Secretary-General) agreed that the dialogue was a gradual process of convincing the DAES that it was in their long-term interests to submit to OECD-type rules and disciplines. Though OECD missions in Bangkok had advised Taniguchi that it would be premature to set up an OECD Information Office in SE Asia, he had asked the head of the OECD's Tokyo Office to improve the dissemination of OECD material in the area.
11.
This provoked some discussion about the role of bilateral OECD embassies in promoting confidence-building. Paye thought the Secretariat should reflect on an information strategy for the region; a paper would be prepared for the next CGNME meeting on 27 September.
Conclusion
12. Paye summed up that the Secretariat paper would be (mildly) revised to take account of members' views, which had been largely supportive. He hoped the new paper could be adopted at the CGNME's 27 September meeting.
Comment
13. A positive if unspectacular outcome. Some earlier Secretariat enthusiasm has been tempered by the DAES' mixed reactions to its menu of future options. We clearly have some way to go to reassure certain DAE partners, particularly the ASEAN members, about the OECD's motives. DAE embassies in Paris are of little use; more direct contact is needed. We need too to look at the role of our own bilateral missions, and (as the US suggested) to getting the message across to DAE ministers passing through our capitals. Looking further ahead, see a risk that OECD nervousness not to force the pace might inhibit the dialogue from developing into a mutually beneficial exchange on sensitive and hence relevant
relevant issues. Not an easy
an easy balance to strike, I admit. But at this rate, the OECD may well have several new Eastern European faces before a single DAE joins.
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