TNAG-0134-FCO40-170-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 54

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CYPHER CAT A

PRIORITY UKDEL 0.E.C.D.

TELEGRAM NUMBER 66

CONFIDENTIAL,

NEUTRAL.

LAKK6/12

CONFIDENTIAL

Preferences File

TO FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE

14 JUNE 1969

PA

ADDRESSED TO F.C.0. TELEGRAM NO. 66 OF 14 JUNE REPEATED FOR INFORMATION TO UKMIS GENEVA AND UKDEL E.E.C. AND SAVING TO WASHINGTON,

317

THE 0.E.C.D. TRADE COMMITTEE MET ON 12 AND 13 JUNE. GOLDSMITH, BOARD OF TRADE (FIRST DAY) AND MUIR, DELEGATION, REPRESENTED THE U.K. THE MAIN SUBJECT ON THE AGENDA WAS AGAIN TARIFF PREFERENCES FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

2. WINTERMANS (NETHERLANDS) INTRODUCED THE MAIN BROAD ELEMENTS OF AGREEMENT IN THE MEETING OF THE TRADE COMMITTEE'S AD HOC GROUP ON PREFERENCES (UKDEL OECD TELEGRAM NEUTRAL 62 OF 12 JUNE REFERS). IT WAS AGREED THAT THE COMMITTEE SHOULD AUTHORISE CIRCULATION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE LISTS OF POSSIBLE PREFERENCE OFFERS ALREADY SUBMITTED (WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THAT OF JAPAN) TO ALL ITS MEMBERS AND THAT THE AD HOC GROUP SHOULD BEGIN AROUND THE MIDDLE OF JULY

THE PRELIMINARY PROCESS OF EXAMINATION AND CLARIFICATION OF THE

ILLUSTRATIVE LISTS, CANADA ASKED THAT HER LIST NOT BE EXAMINED UNTIL ALL THE LISTS HAD BEEN TABLED. GOLDSMITH RECEIVED NO SUPPORT FOR HIS REMAINING DOUBTS ON THIS PROCEDURAL DECISION.

3. THERE WAS ALSO LITTLE DIFFICULTY IN AGREEING THAT THE OECD COUNTRIES SHOULD TRY TO HAVE THE THIRD MEETING OF THE U.N.C.T.A.D. PREFERENCES COMMITTEE, DUE TO BEGIN ON 30 JUNE, SHORTENED TO A WEEK OR SO. THE 'GOOD NEWS'' OF THE IMPENDING TABLING OF THE

U.S. ILLUSTRATIVE LIST AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE IN JULY AND THE START

83) OF EXAMINATION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE LISTS IN MID-JULY (PARAGRAPH 2

ABOVE AND UKDEL OECD TELEGRAM NEUTRAL 62) SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE UNCTAD SECRETARY-GENERAL BY REED OF THE NORWEGIAN GENEVA

DELEGATION - IN SUCH A WAY THAT, WITHOUT PROMPTING, HE WOULD DRAW THE OBVIOUS CONCLUSIONS ABOUT THE 39 JUNE MEETING AND ACT ON THEM.

4. TROUBLE ONLY CAME WHEN FORTHOMME (BELGIUM) EXPRESSED DISLIKE OF WHAT HE CALLED THE IMPRACTICABLE IDEA WIDELY ACCEPTED IN THE

AD HOC GROUP THAT THE OECD COUNTRIES SHOULD TELL THE DEVELOPING

COUNTRIES THEY WERE AIMING AT AROUND LATE NOVEMBER OR EARLY

DECEMBER FOR STARTING INTENSIVE CONSULTATIONS'' WITH THEM ON

THE BASIS OF ''SUBSTANTIVE DOCUMENTATION TO BE PROVIDED BY

CONFIDENTIAL

/THE