TNAG-0134-FCO40-170-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 150

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UKMIS. GENEVA TELNO. 63 SAVING TO FCO

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The agreed decision which is embodied in the final

6. report:

(i) ·

authorises the Secretary-General to convene a working group on the technical aspects of rules of origin "at an early date";

ii) lists on a tentative basis subjects on which detailed intensive consultations would be necessary "in the Committee or in working groups";

(iii) invites the Secretary-General to consult informally with the Bureau and with representatives of member governments prior to the third session, both on procedural and substantive issues (in the latter case, only so far as the necessary documentation is available);

and

(iv) recognises that consultations and "such working groups as had been established" might have to continue work after the end of the 3rd Session.

(Full text in m.i.f.s.t.)

Group D

7. Group D took no part in the general debates, but came to life when, largely as a result of Latin American pressure, the subject of "equivalent measures to be taken by the socialist countries of Eastern Europe" appeared in the list referred to in paragraph 6(ii) above. The Russians took the lead in the Contact Group in demanding the deletion of this item on the grounds that the Group D contribution could be considered only in the context of Conference Resolution 15(II). This demand was resisted with commendadable vigour by Chile and Gabon, who stood firm against a lot of corridor lobbying. The Russians then proposed that the item should be amended to read: 'measures to be taken

in the light of Resolution 15(II)"; and that an extra paragraph be included to the effect that the Committee agreed that the "socialist" contribution should be considered in the framework" of Resolution 15(II). This was unfortunately agreed to in the Contact Group by the 77 before questioning by Group B (in which the United Kingdom took the lead) made it clear that the Russians intended that the Sessional Committee of the Board should be recognised as the only forum in which this matter could be discussed.

fi

..

8. Group B opposition resulted in the extra paragraph being submitted to the Plenary within brackets. The Russians refused an appeal from the chair to withdraw the passage; but subsequently accepted a Chilean proposal, supported by India, that it be redrafted to make it explicit that this was the view only of Group D. The paragraph, thus redrafted, will appcar in the report.

/Israel

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