CONFIDENTIAL
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(111) WE HAVE BEEN GIVING THOUGHT TO WAYS OF MINIMISING THE RISK F UNILATERAL ACTION BY THE U.S. IF THEY SHOULD FEEL CONFRONTED ATH A BLANKLY NEGATIVE RESPUNSE TO THEIR PROPOSALS. BEARING THIS IN MIND, AND THE NEED TO CHECK AN ACCELERATING TREND TOWARD UANTITATIVE RESTRICTIONS OR VOLUNTARY RESTRAINTS WE HAVE BEEN REFLECTING ON THE GERMAN IDEA OF A FACT-FINDING GROUP. (YOUR TELNO 144 OF 17 APRIL PARA & REFERS). THIS WAS, WE APPRECIATE, REJECTED BY THE AMERICANS, BUT MIGHT BE MORE PALATABLE TO THEM IN THE FORM
F A WORKING PARTY APPOINTED BY GATT TO REVIEW THE SITUATION AND CONSIDER WHETHER ANY REVISION OF EXISTING PROCEDURES IS REQUIRED.
WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THIS AND WE INTEND TO PUT FORWARD A EUGGESTION OF THIS KIND ONLY IF AT AN APPROPRIATE STAGE IT SEEMS ADVANTAGEOUS TO DO SO, AND AFTER TAKING ACCOUNT OF THE VIEWS OF OUR PRINCIPAL PARTNERS.
2. WE WOULD BE INTERESTED TO KNOW WHETHER THE GERMANS INTEND TO PURSUE THEIR IDEA OF A FACT-FINDING GROUP OR PUT FORWARD ANY OTHER PROPOSAL, OR ALTERNATIVELY HOW THEY WOULD VIEW OUR OWN IDEA,
HICH YOU WILL REALIZE IS NOT YET FIRM.
STEWART
INTERNATIONAL TRADE DISTRIBUTION
COMMODITIES
HONG KONG DEPT
CONFIDENTIAL
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