TNAG-0135-FCO40-171-Tariff-preferences-for-developing-countries-1969 — Page 103

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U.K. Del O.E.C.D. telegram No.58 Saving to FCO

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(i) a text proposed by the U.K. on the legal status

of preferences;

(ii)

the self-election principle for beneficiaries from preferences. Some nenbers of the Group were clearly unhappy about, e.g. Rumania;

(iii) initial duration of the scheme;

(iv)

(v)

future machinery in UNCTAD;

safeguard and consultation provisions

Cotton Textiles and Frimary Products

7. Di Martino brought up again these hobby-horses of the Community (c.f. paras. 4-6 of U.K. Del. OECD Saving Telegram 50 of 8 September). Miyazaki (Japan) said in effect, that they could not include cotton textiles in their offer so as to renew the GATT Long-Term Arrangement for the E.E.C.'s benefit. Discussion promptly ceased.

8. On primary products, the Group set up a so-called "export group" and this met on 26 September. This group will produce a list of products proposed (by, c.g., the E.E.C. and Canadians) for exclusion from preferences. The Ad Hoc Group will, without any prior commitment, consider such list at its next meeting. At least for the moment, there is no change in the position of each potential donor country and it is unlikely that everyone will agree to exclude whatever products self-interested advocates like the E.E.C. clain are primary products but others feel more in the nature of processed agricultural ones.

Next Meeting

9. The Group will meet on 13 October, for as long as necessary, to consider any developments in the U.S. position and the Scerctariat's draft of a joint submission on "substant- ive documentation." The Group will then have to make recommendations to the Trade Committee. The crunch will then really be reached.

INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION:

Trade Policy Dept

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