MONDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1993
HK
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BEST EXAMPLE IN URUGUAY TALKS
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HONG KONG IS THE BEST POSSIBLE EXAMPLE FOR OTHERS TO FOLLOW AND TO EMULATE IN THE URUGUAY ROUND NEGOTIATIONS, THE SECRETARY FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY, MR T H CHAU, SAID THIS (MONDAY) MORNING.
SPEAKING AT THE OPENING OF AN INFORMAL WORKSHOP ORGANISED BY THE ORGANISATION FOR ECONOMIC COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT (OECD), MR CHAU SAID HONG KONG WAS THE WORLD'S PUREST PRACTITIONER OF THE GATT'S FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES.
"WE HAVE NO IMPORT TARIFFS, NO BARRIERS TO TRADE AND A OPEN ECONOMY," HE SAID.
TOTALLY
MR CHAU SAID IT WAS IRONIC, AND PERHAPS TRAGIC, THAT, AT A MOMENT WHEN AT LAST THE URUGUAY ROUND SEEMED POISED FOR A SUCCESSFUL CONCLUSION BECAUSE "WE WERE FACING WHAT ALL OF US BELIEVED TO BE A GENUINE DEADLINE, WE WERE ALSO ON THE VERGE OF THE FINAL COLLAPSE OF THE ROUND.
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THE REASON IS VERY SIMPLE.
"IN THE 20 MONTHS OR SO SINCE THE SO-CALLED DRAFT FINAL ACT WAS CRAFTED IN GENEVA, THE ONLY REAL NEGOTIATIONS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE HAVE BEEN MAINLY ON ONE SINGLE SUBJECT - ALBEIT AN IMPORTANT ONE AND MAINLY BETWEEN TWO PLAYERS ALBEIT TWO MAJOR ONES GENEVA.
M+
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AND OUTSIDE
"NOW THAT THE ACTION IS BACK IN GENEVA AND WE ARE FACED WITH A REAL DEADLINE, OTHER ISSUES EQUALLY IMPORTANT AND EQUALLY DIFFICULT, AND OTHER PLAYERS EQUALLY RELEVANT ALTHOUGH SMALLER ARE COMING ΤΟ
THE FORE.
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"IN SUCH A SITUATION, IF WE WANT THE ROUND TO SUCCEED, WE MUST ALL STICK TO THE DRAFT FINAL ACT AND REFRAIN FROM RE-OPENING ANY PARTS OF IT. OTHERWISE, IT WILL SURELY UNRAVEL,' HE SAID.
"I
MR CHAU URGED THE MAJOR PLAYERS TO SHOW THE LEADERSHIP THAT WAS EXPECTED AND REQUIRED OF THEM IF THE ROUND WAS TO SUCCEED.
"THEY MUST SET A GOOD EXAMPLE BY NOT SEEKING TO DRAFT FINAL ACT.
RE-OPEN THE
TO
"THEY MUST ALSO GIVE THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AN INCENTIVE ACCEPT GREATER GATT DISCIPLINE AND NEW OBLIGATIONS IN SERVICES AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS.
TARIFFS
FOR
"THEY CAN DO SO BY MAKING MORE GENEROUS CUTS IN ITEMS OF INTEREST TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND THEY SHOULD NOT DEMAND FULL RECIPROCITY IN OTHER AREAS," HE SAID.
MR CHAU ADDED THAT THE MAJOR PLAYERS MUST PROVIDE THE NECESSARY LEADERSHIP.
"ALL OF US MUST SUMMON UP THE NECESSARY POLITICAL WILL AND MAKE OUR BEST POSSIBLE EFFORT TO CONCLUDE THE ROUND," HE SAID.
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