TNAG-0626-FCO40-774-Representation-of-United-Nations-Economic-and-Social-Commiss-1977 — Page 51

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the criteria embodied in the MFA had been applied. Furthermore, in taking the

action it did, the developed country concerned had in effect torn up several

bilateral agreements which it had negotiated under the MFA and on which the ink

had hardly dried.

9.

At about the same time as this was happening, the signatories to the FA

were meeting in Geneva to consider the future of the arrangement after its expiry.

at the end of 1977. The great majority of the developing countries and territories

present at that meeting were prepared to see the MFA extended without modification:

not, I understand, because they liked textile restrictions as such, but because

the only alternative to the MFA would have been a far greater evil.

10.

However, despite the desire of the developing countries to extend the MFA,

the meeting came to no conclusion because some developed countries gave notice

that they would like to see the MFA modified. As of now, nearly five months later,

we still do not know exactly what modifications they will be secking, although one

thing is crystal clear: that they will be seeking to make the MFA even more restrict-

ive, even more imbalanced than it is to the disadvantage of the developing

countries. This is, to say the least, deplorable

Wa

deplorable not only becausc

it is a retrograde step towards protectionism, but also because the continued

uncertainty about the future of the MFA is already beginning to create problems,.

for the textile trade.

11.

So, although this is not the forum in which the future of the MFA will be

decided, I would nevertheless like to urge those developed countries wishing to

seck modifications to the MFA to re-consider their positions. Let us all work

towards an early decision on the future of the MFA, a decision which is consistent

with the basic objectives of the Arrangement which are (1 quote) to achieve the

expansion of trade, the reduction of barriers to such trade and the progressive

liberalisation of world trade in textile products".

/12. Turning