CRI NEWS

Most Delegates Dissatisfied with Doha Draft

2004-7-31 16:03:24 CRIENGLISH.com

Most members of the WTO have expressed their dissatisfaction with the revised Doha trade talk plan, citing the draft favors developed countries.

Most members of the World Trade Organization have expressed their dissatisfaction with the revised Doha trade talk plan, citing the draft favors developed countries.

In the meeting attended by the organization's 147 members on Friday, all delegates expressed their concern and discontentment with the draft, except for delegates from the US and European Union.

Agriculture is still the major dispute of the talk. Developing members complain the new draft neglects their demands for regulation on special products and differential treatment, while African countries say their requests to reduce cotton subsidies were not included in the draft.

Developed countries like Japan and Switzerland opposed the limits on their import duties over "sensitive products".

The 20-page blueprint was presented by WTO chief Supachai Panitchpakdi and Shotaro Oshima, chairman of its executive General Council.

It was almost the last chance for an agreement to be reached by a deadline of midnight Friday.

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