WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/GC/28
12 November 1999
(99-4902)
General Council
GENERAL COUNCIL
Annual Report (1999)
The present report has been prepared in pursuance of the Procedures for an Annual Overview
of WTO Activities and for Reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105), and sets out the actions taken by
the General Council in the period since its previous annual report.1
In carrying out its tasks, the General Council has held 182 meetings since the period covered
by the previous report.  The minutes of these meetings, which remain the record of the GeneralCouncil's work, are contained in documents WT/GC/M/33, 35, 36 and Add.1-4, 37, 38, 40 and
Add.1-4, 41, 45, 48 and 50.
The following subjects are included in the report:
Page
1. Committee on Balance-of -Payments Restrictions..................................................................3
(a) Consul tations ............................................................................................................... ...............3
2. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration .............................................................3
(a) Reports..................................................................................................................... ...................3
3. Agreement on Preshipment Inspection – Review under Article 6 of the
Agreement...................................................................................................................... ............4
(a) Report of the Working Party................................................................................................. ......4
4. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement................................................................4
(a) Harmonize d System........................................................................................................... .........4
(i) Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka............................................................................................ .4
(b) Renegotiation of Schedule ................................................................................................... .......5
(i) Zambia ...................................................................................................................... ..................5
(c) Decision on the introduction of Harmonized System changes into WTO schedules of
tariff concessions on 1 January 1996..........................................................................................5
(d) Preferential tariff treatment for least- developed countries – decision on waiver .......................6
(e) Peru – Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994 – Request for
waiver......................................................................................................................... .................6
(f) Review of waivers pursuant to Ar ticle IX:4 of the WTO Agreement ........................................6
(i) Canada – CARIBCAN, granted on 14 October 1996 until 31 December 2006..........................6
(ii) Cuba – Article XV:6, granted on 14 October 1996 until 31 December 2001.............................6
(iii) EC – The Fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lomé, granted on 14 October 1996 until
29 February 2000 ............................................................................................................... ........6
(iv) EC/France – Trading arrangements with Morocco, granted on 9-11 December 1998
until 31 December 2001......................................................................................................... .....6
                                                     
1The annual report of the General Council for 1998 was circulated as WT/GC/15 and Corr.1.
2This number does not include the meetings of the General Council devoted to preparations for the
1999 Ministerial Conference, which are covered in an Addendum to the present report.WT/GC/28
Page 2
(v) Hungary – Agricultural export subsidies, granted on 22 October 1997 until
31 December 2001............................................................................................................... .......6
(vi) United States – Andean Trade Preference Act, granted on 14 October 1996 until
4 December 2001................................................................................................................ ........6
(vii) United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, granted on 15 November
1995 until 31 December 2005.................................................................................................... .6
(viii) United States – Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, granted on 14 October
1996 until 31 December 2006.................................................................................................... .6
5. Accession.................................................................................................................... ................7
(a) Bosnia and Herzegovina ...................................................................................................... .......7
(b) Bhutan...................................................................................................................... ...................7
(c) Est onia ..................................................................................................................... ...................8
(d) Former Yugoslav Re public of Macedonia..................................................................................8
(e) Geo rgia..................................................................................................................... ...................8
(f) Lebanon ..................................................................................................................... .................8
(g) Nepal....................................................................................................................... ....................9
(h) Accession to the WTO:  Process and procedures .......................................................................9
6. Trade facilitation – status report on wo rk carried out by the Council for Trade
in Goods under Paragraph 21 of the Singapore Ministerial Declaration............................9
7. Review of the Dispute Settlement Understanding................................................................10
8. Request for an authoritative interpreta tion pursuant to Article IX:2 of the
Marrakesh Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization ................................10
9. Procedures for amendment and interpretation of the Dispute Settlement
Understanding:  response to the European Communities' request for an
authoritative interpretation of the Di spute Settlement Understanding pursuant
 to Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement ................................................................................10
10. Trade measures taken by the United States on 3 March 1999 against European
Communities' imports ........................................................................................................... .11
11. Five-year review of the exemption provided in Paragraph 3 of the GATT 1994..............11
12. United States restrictions on imports of lamb from Australia............................................12
13. Change in United States Trade Relations with Mongolia ...................................................12
14. Global electr onic commerce.................................................................................................. .12
15. Guidelines for the sc heduling of meetings ............................................................................13
16. Transparency and derestriction ............................................................................................1417. Developing countries and the WTO dispute settlement  mechanism..................................14
18. Promotion of the institut ional image of the WTO ...............................................................14
19. International Trade Centre UNCT AD/WTO.......................................................................15
(a) Reports of the Jo int Advisory Group........................................................................................1 5
20. Arrangements for effective cooperation with other intergovernmental
organizations .................................................................................................................. .........15
(a) Agreements between the WTO and the International Monetary Fund and the World
Bank........................................................................................................................... ...............15
21. Submission of end-of-year reports by WTO bodies.............................................................16
22. Establishment of the Global Trust Fund for WTO Technical Cooperation......................1623. Administrati ve ma tters...................................................................................................... .....16
(a) Appointment of the ne xt Director -General ...............................................................................16
(b) Offices of Deputy Directors-General........................................................................................2 0
(c) Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan.........................................................................21
(i) Election of the Chairman, members and alternates..................................................................21
24. Observer status ............................................................................................................. ..........21
(a) Gover nments................................................................................................................. ............21
(i) Yemen ...................................................................................................................... .................21
(b) International intergover nmental orga nizations .........................................................................21WT/GC/28
Page 3
25. 1999 Ministeria l Conference ................................................................................................. .22
(a) Organization of work  for the Conference .................................................................................22
(b) Participation in  the Conference............................................................................................. ....22
(i) Participation of acceding countries as observers in the preparatory work for the 1999
Ministerial Conference ......................................................................................................... ....22
(ii) Attendance of governments as observers at the 1999 Ministerial Conference.........................23
(iii) Attendance of international intergovernmental organizations as observers at the
1999 Ministerial Conference .................................................................................................... 23
(iv) Attendance of non-governmental organizations at the 1999 Ministerial Conference ..............24
26. Chairmanship of the Dispute Settlement Body ....................................................................24
27. Appointment of office rs to WTO bodies...............................................................................24
28. Election of Chairperson..................................................................................................... .....25
29. Parting statement by the Director-General..........................................................................25
30. Review of WTO activities.................................................................................................... ...25
1. Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions
(a) Consultations (WT/GC/M/40/Ad d.3, WT/GC/M/45, WT/GC/M/50)
At the General Council meeting on 15 June 1999, the Chairman of the Committee on
Balance-of-Payments Restrictions introduced the Committee's report on its consultations with
Romania (WT/BOP/R/45).
The representative of Romania spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adopted the report in WT/BOP/R/45.At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the Chairman of the Committee on Balance-
of-Payments Restrictions introduced the Committee's report on its consultations with Bangladesh
(WT/BOP/R/46).
The General Council took note of the statement and of the communication in
WT/BOP/R/46/Add.1, and adopted the report in WT/BOP/R/46.
At the General Council meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, Mr. Jenkins (United Kingdom),
on behalf of the Chairman of the Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions, introduced the
Committee's report on its consultations with the Slovak Republic.
The General Council took note of the statement and adopted the report in WT/BOP/R/48.
2. Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration
(a) Reports (WT/GC/M/45, 50)
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the Chairman of the Committee on Budget,
Finance and Administration introduced the Committee's reports in WT/BFA/39 and 40.
The representatives of Jamaica and Haiti spoke.WT/GC/28
Page 4
The General Council took note of the statements, approved the Committee's specific
recommendations in paragraphs 9 and 10 of its report in WT/BFA/39 and in paragraph 15 of its report
in WT/BFA/40, and adopted the reports.
At the General Council meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the Chairperson of the
Committee on Budget, Finance and Administration announced that the Committee had not yet
reached a final decision on the WTO's budget for 2000.
The General Council took note of the statement, and agreed to adjourn after consideration of
the remaining items on its agenda and to reconvene3 as soon as possible to consider this item.
3. Agreement on Preshipment Inspection – Review under Article 6 of the Agreement
(a) Report of the Working Party (WT/GC/M/40/Add.3)
At the General Council meeting on 15 June 1999, the Chairman of the Working Party on
Preshipment Inspection introduced the Working Party's report (G/L/300).
The General Council took note of the statement and adopted the report in G/L/300.
4. Waivers under Article IX of the WTO Agreement
(a) Harmonized System
(i) Bangladesh, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka (WT/GC/M/40/Add.3, WT/GC/M/50)
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council considered requests by Bangladesh
(G/L/298), Nicaragua (G/L/297) and Sri Lanka (G /L/296) for extensions of waivers previously
granted in connection with their implementation of the Harmonized System, and draft decisions to this
effect (Bangladesh - G/C/W/142;  Nicaragua - G/C/W/141/Rev.1;  Sri Lanka - G/C/W/140).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of these
requests by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted the decisions
(Bangladesh - WT/L/299;  Nicaragua - WT/L/300;  Sri Lanka - WT/L/301) with retroactive effect to30 April 1999.
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the General Council considered requests by
Bangladesh (G/L/324), Nicaragua (G/L/320) and Sri Lanka (G/L/321) for extensions of waivers
previously granted in connection with their im plementation of the Harmonized System, and draft
decisions to this effect (Bangladesh - G/C/W/162 ;  Nicaragua - G/C/W/160;  Sri Lanka - G/C/W/161).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of these
requests by that Council.
                                                     
3The General Council's subsequent consideration of this item will be carried in an addendum to the
present report.WT/GC/28
Page 5
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted the decisions
(Bangladesh - WT/L/336;  Nicaragua - WT/L/334;  Sri Lanka - WT/L/335).
(b) Renegotiation of Schedule
(i) Zambia (WT/GC/M/40/Add.3, WT/GC/M/50)
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council considered a request by Zambia
(G/L/295) for an extension of a waiver previously granted in connection with the renegotiation of its
schedule, and a draft decision to this effect (G/C/W/139).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by the Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted the decision
(WT/L/302) with retroactive effect to 30 April 1999.
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the General Council considered a request by
Zambia (G/L/329) for an extension of a waiver previously granted in connection with the
renegotiation of its schedule, and a draft decision to this effect (G/C/W/163).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this request
by that Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted the decision
(WT/L/337).
(c) Decision on the introduction of Harmonized System changes into WTO schedules of tariff
concessions on 1 January 1996 (WT/GC/M/40/Add.3, WT/GC/M/50)
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council considered a draft decision extending the
time-limit of the Decision on the introduction of Harmonized System changes into WTO schedules of
tariff concessions on 1 January 1996 (G/C/W/145).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this matter
by the Council.
The representative of Japan spoke.
The General Council took note of the statement and of the report and, in accordance with the
Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted
the decision (WT/L/303) with retroactive effect to 30 April 1999.
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the General Council considered a draft decision
extending the time-limit of the Decision on the introduction of Harmonized System changes into
WTO schedules of tariff concessions on 1 January 1996 (G/C/W/165).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this matter
by that Council.WT/GC/28
Page 6
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted the decision
(WT/L/338).
(d) Preferential tariff treatment for least-developed countries – decision on waiver
(WT/GC/M/40/Add.3)
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council considered a draft decision on
preferential tariff treatment for least-developed countries (G/C/W/135/Rev.1).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this matter
by the Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted the decision
(WT/L/304).
(e) Peru – Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994 – Request for waiver
(WT/GC/M/45)
At its meeting on 15 July 1999, the General Council considered a request by Peru (G/L/311)
for a waiver regarding the Agreement on Implementation of Article VII of the GATT 1994, and a
draft decision to this effect (G/C/W/155).
The Chairman of the Council for Trade in Goods reported on the consideration of this matter
by the Council.
The General Council took note of the report and, in accordance with the Decision-Making
Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement (WT/L/93), adopted the decision(WT/L/307).
(f) Review of waivers pursuant to Article IX:4 of the WTO Agreement (WT/GC/M/50)
(i) Canada – CARIBCAN, granted on 14 Octobe r 1996 until 31 December 2006  (WT/L/185,
WT/L/323)
(ii) Cuba – Article XV:6, granted on 14 Octobe r 1996 until 31 December 2001  (WT/L/182,
WT/L/320)
(iii) EC – The Fourth ACP-EC Convention of Lomé, granted on 14 October 1996 until
29 February 2000  (WT/L/186, WT /L/325 and Add.1 and Add.1/Corr.1)
(iv) EC/France – Trading arrangements with Morocco, granted on 9-11 December 1998 until
31 December 2001 (WT/L/294)
(v) Hungary – Agricultural export subsidies, granted on 22 October 1997 until
31 December 2001  (WT/L/238, WT/L/322)
(vi) United States – Andean Trade Preference Act, granted on 14 October 1996 until
4 December 2001  (WT/L/184, WT/L/328)
(vii) United States – Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act, granted on 15 November 1995
until 31 December 2005  (WT/L/104, WT/L/329)
(viii) United States – Former Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands, granted on 14 October 1996
until 31 December 2006  (WT/L/183, WT/L/327)
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the General Council reviewed the above eight
waivers.WT/GC/28
Page 7
The representatives of the European Communities and the United States spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the reports in documents WT/L/320,
322, 323, 325 and Add.1 and Add.1/Corr.1, 327, 328 and 329.
5. Accession
(a) Bosnia and Herzegovina (WT/GC/M/45, 48)
At its meeting on 15 July 1999, the General Council considered a communication from
Bosnia and Herzegovina (WT/ACC/BIH/1) concer ning its interest in acceding to the WTO
Agreement pursuant to Article XII.
The representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina (as an observer), Myanmar (on behalf of the
ASEAN Members), Turkey, Pakistan, European Communities, Hungary (on behalf of the CEFTA4
Members and Latvia), Japan, Brazil, Slovenia and Jamaica spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to establish a working party to
examine the application of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and authorized its Chairman to designate the
Chairperson of the Working Party in consultation with representatives of Members and with therepresentative of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Chairman invited the representative of Bosnia and Herzegovina, on behalf of the General
Council, to attend meetings of the General Council and, as appropriate, meetings of other WTO
bodies as an observer during the period in which the Working Party was carrying out its work.
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the Chairman informed the General Council that
Mr. Peter Jenkins (United Kingdom) had agreed to chair the Working Party.(b) Bhutan (WT/GC/M/48)
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the General Council considered a communication from
Bhutan (WT/ACC/BTN/1/Rev .1) concerning its interest in acceding to the WTO Agreement pursuant
to Article XII.
The representatives of India, Japan, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Sri Lanka,
Bangladesh, European Communities, Bolivia (on behalf of GRULAC), Pakistan, Norway, Kuwait,
Australia, Colombia, United States, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Uganda, Switzerland,Bulgaria, Slovenia, Canada, New Zealand, Cyprus, and Bhutan (as an observer) and the Chairman
spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to establish a working party to
examine the application of Bhutan, and authorized its Chairman to designate the Chairperson of theWorking Party in consultation with representatives of Members and with the representative of Bhutan.
The Chairman invited the representative of Bhutan, on behalf of the General Council, to
attend meetings of the General Council and, as appropriate, meetings of other WTO bodies as an
observer during the period in which the Working Party was carrying out its work.
                                                     
4The CEFTA Members include Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovak
Republic and Slovenia.WT/GC/28
Page 8
(c) Estonia (WT/GC/M/41)
In March 1994 the GATT 1947 Council had established a Working Party to examine Estonia's
request for accession to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade.  Subsequently, in pursuance of
the decision regarding requests for WTO accession adopted by the WTO General Council on
31 January 19955, the GATT 1947 Accession Working Party had been transformed into a WTO
Accession Working Party.
At its meeting on 21 May 1999, the General Council approved the text of the Protocol of
Accession (WT/ACC/EST/30) and the text of the dr aft Decision on the Accession of Estonia and, in
accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement
agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the Decision on the Accession of Estonia
(WT/ACC/EST/29).  The General Council also adopted the report of the Working Party(WT/ACC/EST/28 and Add.1, Add.2 and Add.2/Corr.1).
The representatives of Estonia, European Communities, Canada, Hungary (on behalf of the
CEFTA Members), United States, Australia, Tu rkey, Iceland, Norway, New Zealand, Mexico,
Switzerland, Latvia, Jamaica, Japan, India, Paki stan, Cuba, Thailand (on behalf of the ASEAN
Members) and Kyrgyz Republic, and the Chairman of the Working Party spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
(d) Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (WT/GC/M/48)
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the Chairman informed the General Council that
Mr. Kåre Bryn (Norway) had agreed to chair the Working Party on the accession of the Former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
(e) Georgia (WT/GC/M/48)
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the General Council approved the text of the Protocol of
Accession (WT/ACC/GEO/33) and the text of the draft Decision on the Accession of Georgia and, in
accordance with the Decision-Making Procedures under Articles IX and XII of the WTO Agreement
agreed in November 1995 (WT/L/93), adopted the Decision on the Accession of Georgia
(WT/ACC/GEO/32).  The General Council also adopted the report of the Working Party
(WT/ACC/GEO/31 and Add.1 and 2).
The representatives of Hungary (on behalf of the CEFTA Members and Latvia), Japan,
United States, Turkey, European Communities, Boliv ia (on behalf of GRULAC), Philippines (on
behalf of the ASEAN Members), Pakistan, India, Norway,  Switzerland, Canada, Cyprus, and Georgia
(as an observer), and the Chairman of the Working Party spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
(f) Lebanon (WT/GC/M/40)
At its meeting on 14 April 1999, the General Council considered a communication from
Lebanon (WT/ACC/LBN/1) concerning its interest  in acceding to the WTO Agreement pursuant to
Article XII.
                                                     
5See WT/GC/M/1, item 4(g).WT/GC/28
Page 9
The representatives of Lebanon (as an observer), Egypt, Kuwait, Tunisia, Bahrain,
Bangladesh, Cuba, United States, European Communities, Pakistan, Malaysia (on behalf of the
ASEAN Members), Qatar, Japan, Morocco, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Nigeria, Czech Republic, Bulgaria
and Turkey spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to establish a working party to
examine the application by Lebanon, and appointed Mrs. Laurence Dubois-Destrizais (France) as
Chairperson of the Working Party.
The Chairman invited Lebanon, on behalf of the General Council, to attend meetings of the
General Council and, as appropriate, meetings of other WTO bodies as an observer during the period
in which the Working Party was carrying out its work.
(g) Nepal (WT/GC/M/40/Add.3)
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the Chairman informed the General Council that Mr. Roger
Farrell (New Zealand) had agreed to Chair the Working Party on the Accession of Nepal, replacing
Mr. G.C. Fortune.
The General Council took note of this information.
(h) Accession to the WTO:  Process and procedures (WT/GC/M/40/Add.3)
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council considered a Technical Note by the
Secretariat on the accession process (WT/ACC/7 and Corr.1) and a submission by the European
Communities on the question of accession (WT/GC/W/153).  It also heard an oral report – prepared
by the former Director-General, Mr. Ruggiero, and read out by the Chairman – on the informal
meeting on 23 March 1999 with Chairpersons of Accession Working Parties.
The representatives of the European Communities, Egypt, Hungary (on behalf of the CEFTA
Members), Jamaica, India, Japan, Korea, Costa Rica, Bangladesh, Switzerland, Australia, Turkey,
United States, Canada, Pakistan and Hong Kong, China, and the Russian Federation (as an observer)
spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements, agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting6, agreed to circulate the oral report on the meeting of 23 March as a document7, and noted the
fact that delegations in general supported the idea that the process of accession should be accelerated
as much as possible, in particular in the course of 1999, prior to the launching of a new round of trade
negotiations.
6. Trade facilitation – status report on work ca rried out by the Council for Trade in Goods
under Paragraph 21 of the Singapore Ministerial Declaration (WT/GC/M/50)
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999 the General Council heard a status report on the
work carried out by the Council for Trade in Goods under Paragraph 21 of the Singapore Ministerial
Declaration .
The General Council took note of the status report (G/L/333).
                                                     
6 See Item 25(b)(i) of the present report.
7Circulated in WT/GC/W/212.WT/GC/28
Page 10
7. Review of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (WT/GC/M/48, 50)
At the General Council meeting on 6 October 1999, the Chairman read out a statement on
behalf of the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body in which the latter described the evolution and
present state of the review of the Dispute Settlement Understanding.
The representatives of Mexico, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, United States, Canada,
Hungary, European Communities, Japan, Egypt, India, Brazil, New Zealand, Indonesia, Venezuela,
Ecuador, Australia, Uruguay, Singapore, Guatemal a, Switzerland, Korea, Costa Rica, Bulgaria and
Hong Kong, China, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the General Council heard a report by the
Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body on his own responsibility regarding the review of the
Dispute Settlement Understanding, in which he proposed that the General Council:  "(a) take note of
all the discussions that had taken place during the review;  and (b) note that in the context of theinformal consultations among some interested delegations mentioned above, it was still possible that
proposals to amend the Dispute Settlement Understanding which might constitute a consensus could
emerge in time for a decision at the Third Ministerial Conference"
.
The representatives of Egypt, Malaysia, Mexico, United States, Guatemala, Thailand, Turkey,
Venezuela, Switzerland, European Communities, Hungary, Canada, Czech Republic, Colombia,Japan, Philippines, Brazil, Argentina, India, Peru, Singapore and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statement by the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement
Body and of the proposals contained therein and agreed to submit them to Ministers for their
consideration at the Third Ministerial Conference, and took note of the statements by delegationswhich would also be conveyed to Ministers.
8. Request for an authoritative interpretation pursuant to Article IX:2 of the Marrakesh
Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization
8 (WT/GC/M/35)
9. Procedures for amendment and interpretation of the Dispute Settlement Understanding:
response to the European Communities' request  for an authoritative interpretation of
the Dispute Settlement Understanding pursuant to Article IX:2 of the WTO Agreement9
(WT/GC/M/35)
At its meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the General Council considered communications
from the European Communities (WT/GC/W/133 and 143) and from the United States
(WT/GC/W/144).
The representatives of the European Communities, United States, Japan, India, Mexico,
Hungary (on behalf of the CEFT A Members), Chile, Australia, Canada, Argentina, Brazil,
Switzerland, Korea, Barbados, Panama, Belize, H onduras, Jamaica, Malaysia (on behalf of the
ASEAN Members), New Zealand, Uruguay, Guatemala,  Mauritius, Cyprus, Norway, Ecuador, Israel,
Venezuela and Hong Kong, China, and the Chairman spoke.
                                                     
8At the Chairman's suggestion the matters under points 8 and 9 were taken up together and the
discussion thereof is reflected accordingly in the minutes of the meeting.
9See footnote 8.WT/GC/28
Page 11
The General Council took note of the statements.
10. Trade measures taken by the United States on 3 March 1999 against European
Communities' imports (WT/GC/M/37)
At a special meeting of the General Council on 8 March 1999, the General Council discussed
this matter.
The representatives of the European Communities, United States, St. Lucia, Canada,
Dominica, Japan, Hungary (on behalf of the CEFT A Members), Panama, Korea, Guatemala, India,
Honduras, Indonesia, Barbados, Switzerland, Norway, Colombia, Philippines, Thailand, Singapore,
Malaysia, Trinidad and Tobago, Australia, Ecuador, Egypt, New Zealand, Brazil, Senegal, Argentina,Côte d'Ivoire, Venezuela, Uruguay, Jamaica, Turkey, Cyprus and Hong Kong, China, and the
Director-General spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
11. Five-year review of the exemption provided in Paragraph 3 of the GATT 1994
(WT/GC/M/45, 48, 50)
At its meeting on 15 July 1999, the General Council considered a communication from the
United States (WT/GC/W/228) concerning the exem ption provided in paragraph 3 of the GATT 1994.
The representatives of the United States, European Communities, Myanmar (on behalf of the
ASEAN Members), Japan, Australia, Norway, Pana ma, Jamaica, Brazil, Mexico, Philippines and
Hong Kong, China, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the General Council considered this matter.
The representatives of Malaysia, Japan, European Communities, Panama, Norway, Australia,
New Zealand, Canada, Korea, Dominican Republic, India and Hong Kong, China, and the Chairmanspoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the General Council considered this matter.
The representatives of the United States, Panama, Japan, European Communities, Korea,
Australia and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.WT/GC/28
Page 12
12. United States restrictions on imports of lamb from Australia (WT/GC/M/45)
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the representative of Australia said that the
United States had imposed restrictions on imports of lamb meat under the WTO Agreement on
Safeguards on the basis of only a threat of serious injury, and to a degree that was more punitive than
the recommendation of the US International Trade Commission.
The representative of New Zealand spoke.The General Council took note of the statements.
13. Change in United States Trade Relations with Mongolia (WT/GC/M/45)
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the representative of the United States said
that his country had notified the Chairman (WT/L/306) that it had rescinded its invocation of
Article XIII of the WTO Agreement vis-à-vis  Mongolia, and that it therefore consented to the
application, as between it and Mongolia, of the WTO Agreement and the Multilateral Trade
Agreements in Annexes 1 and 2 thereto.
The General Council took note of the statement.
14. Global electronic commerce10 (WT/GC/M/35, WT/GC/M/40/Add.3, WT/GC/M/45, 48)
At its meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the General Council considered a submission by
the United States regarding global electronic commerce (WT/GC/16).
The representative of the United States and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to undertake the interim review
of progress in implementation of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce at its meeting on
14 April 1999.11
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council conducted an interim review of progress
in the implementation of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce.
The representatives of Venezuela, Japan, United States, India, Canada, Egypt, European
Communities, Australia, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Bangladesh, Norway and
Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the inputs from the relevant WTO
bodies, and agreed to revert to the issue of the Work Programme on Electronic Commerce at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 15 July 1999, the General Council considered a submission from Australia
(WT/GC/25).
                                                     
10In the relevant minutes the item is called "Work Programme on Electronic Commerce".
11Consideration of most of the items on the General Council's agenda for 14 April 1999 was postponed
to 15 June 1999.WT/GC/28
Page 13
The representatives of Australia, Japan, Jama ica, United States, Pakistan, India, Brazil,
Malaysia, Argentina, Uruguay, European Communities, Mexico and Hong Kong, China, and the
Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this item at its next
meeting.
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the General Council considered reports of the relevant
WTO bodies charged with implementing the Work Programme and discussed how to take this matter
forward.
The representatives of Malaysia, Australia, Brazil, Hungary (on behalf of the CEFTA
Members), Dominican Republic, India, Mexic o, United States, Pakistan, Japan, European
Communities, Venezuela, Jamaica, Egypt, Philippines, and Hong Kong, China and the Chairman
spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to forward the reports of the
WTO bodies examining this issue to Ministers at the Third Ministerial Conference and to revert to
this matter after that meeting.
15. Guidelines for the scheduling of me etings (WT/GC/M/35, WT/GC/M/40/Add.312,
WT/GC/M/4513, 4814)
At its meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the General Council discussed this matter.
The representative of Mexico and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed that the Chairman would hold
consultations on this matter.
At the General Council meeting on 15 June 1999, the representative of Mexico said that the
Informal Group of Developing Countries had made a submission (Job No. 2122) that provided ideas
on how to rationalize the formal and informal meetings in the WTO.
The General Council took note of the statement, ag reed that this matter be subject to informal
consultations, and agreed to revert to it at its next meeting.
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the Chairman said that it was his intention
to conduct informal consultations on this matter at the earliest opportunity, based on the submission
from Mexico on behalf of the Informal Group of Developing Countries.
The General Council took note of the statement and agreed to revert to this matter at a future
meeting, in light of the consultations to be held.
At the General Council meeting on 6 October 1999, the Chairman said that he had as yet not
been able to convene consultations on this matter and that it was his intention to do so at the earliest
possible date.
                                                     
12At this meeting the item was called "Frequency and scheduling of WTO meetings".
13See footnote 12.
14See footnote 12.WT/GC/28
Page 14
The General Council took note of this information.
16. Transparency and derestriction15 (WT/GC/M/35, 45)
At its meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the General Council considered this matter.
The representatives of Mexico, Pakistan, United  States, Canada, Australia, India, European
Communities, New Zealand and Japan, and the Chairman and the Secretary of the General Council
spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter at its next
meeting.
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the Chairman said that once the new senior
management was in place, he intended to ask one of the Deputy Directors-General to continue the
consultations on this matter.
The General Council took note of the statement.
17. Developing countries and the WTO dispute settlement mechanism (WT/GC/M/35)
At the General Council meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the representative of the
European Communities introduced a proposal (WT/GC/W/148) to create a new unit in the WTO to
assist developing countries in relation to the dispute settlement mechanism.
The representatives of the United States, Colombia, Venezuela, Bangladesh, Egypt, Uruguay,
Bolivia, Japan, Mexico, Mauritius and Norway spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
18. Promotion of the institutional image of the WTO (WT/GC/M/35, WT/GC/M/40/Add.3,
WT/GC/M/45, 48)
At its meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the General Council considered a communication
from Venezuela (WT/GC/W/142) on this matter.
The representatives of Venezuela, Tunisia, Mexico, Switzerland, Canada, United States,
Japan, European Communities, Egypt, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Peru, Norway, Uruguay, Pakistan, Australia,
Malaysia, India, Brazil and New Zealand, and the Director-General and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements, agreed that the Secretariat would prepare a
document as proposed by Venezuela, and agreed to revert to this matter at a subsequent meeting.
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council considered a Note prepared by the
Secretariat (WT/GC/W/158 and Corr.1) on this matter.
                                                     
15In the minutes this item is called "Review of procedures for the circulation and derestriction of WTO
documents".WT/GC/28
Page 15
The representatives of Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Venezuela, Egypt,
Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, United States, European Communities, Japan, Australia, Jamaica,
India, Korea, Hungary, Norway, Brazil, Pakistan and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the Note prepared by the Secretariat
and agreed to revert to this matter at its next meeting.
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the Chairman said that he intended to invite
Mr. Suzuki (Japan) to chair informal consultations on this matter and to report back to the General
Council.
The representatives of Egypt, India, Malaysia, Venezuela, United States, Pakistan, Mexico,
Switzerland, Mauritius, Canada, Turkey and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to hold informal consultations on
this matter.
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the General Council heard a report on the informal
consultations held on this matter as of that date.
The General Council took note of this information.
19. International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO
(a) Reports of the Joint Advisory Group (WT/GC/M/48)
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the General Council considered the report of the Joint
Advisory Group of the International Trade Centre UNCTAD/WTO on its thirty-second session(ITC/AG(XXXII)/173).
The Chairman said that the Committee on Trade and Development had examined the report at
its meeting in July 1999 and had forwarded it to the General Council for adoption.
The General Council took note of the statement and adopted the report.
20. Arrangements for effective cooperation wi th other intergovernmental organizations
(a) Agreements between the WTO and the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank
(WT/GC/M/35)
At its meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the General Council considered an annotated
checklist of issues raised in the General Council's discussion of this matter in December 1998
(WT/GC/W/140).
The representatives of Canada, Japan, India, United States, Pakistan, Korea and the European
Communities spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements, agreed to authorize the Chairman to
convene special informal meetings from time to time, at the request of delegations or the Director-
General, to discuss coherence issues, and agreed to request the Secretariat to prepare and circulate aWT/GC/28
Page 16
background technical paper to assist discussions for the first meeting on "Autonomous
Liberalization".
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the Chairman informed the General Council that an
informal meeting of the General Council would be convened on 28 October 1999 to discuss coherence
issues.
The General Council took note of this information.
21. Submission of end-of-year reports  by WTO bodies (WT/GC/M/45)
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the Chairman said that in order for the
annual reports of the subsidiary bodies reporting to the General Council to be forwarded to the
1999 Ministerial Conference as part of the report of the General Council, all of these reports would
have to be in circulation by 22 October.
The General Council took note of the statement.
22. Establishment of the Global Trust Fund for WTO Technical Cooperation
(WT/GC/M/45)
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the Chairman announced the establishment
of a Global Trust Fund for WTO Technical Cooperation (Job No. 3788/Rev.1), which had been open
to receive voluntary financial contributions since 1 July 1999.
The General Council took note of the statement.
23. Administrative matters
(a) Appointment of the next Director-Gener al (WT/GC/M/33, 35, 36, 36/Add.1, 36/Add.2,
36/Add.3, 36/Add.4, WT/GC/M/40, 40/Add .1, 40/Add.2, 40/Add.4, WT/GC/M/46)
At its meeting on 12, 20, 26 and 27 January 1999, the General Council considered this matter.
On 12 January, the Chairman informed the Gene ral Council that, as indicated to delegations
in a fax of 4 January, Mr. Lafer would be unable to continue in his role of facilitator.  He proposed
that Mr. Rossier proceed alone with the consultations in the week of 11 January and report to the
General Council on 20 January, and that Mr. Rossier proceed in the manner set out in the
communication of 23 December 1998 which Mr. Ro ssier and Mr. Lafer had jointly agreed.
The representatives of Brazil and Pakistan spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.On 20 January, Mr. Rossier made a report on the consultations (Job. No. 258).The representatives of Mexico (on behalf of the Informal Group of Developing Countries),
Jamaica, Egypt, European Communities, Zimbabwe (on behalf of the African Group) and Pakistan,
and the Chairman spoke.WT/GC/28
Page 17
The General Council took note of the statements.
On 26 January, the Chairman suggested that a new round of consultations be held.The representatives of Mexico (on behalf of the Informal Group of Developing Countries),
Egypt, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), United States, Pakistan, European
Communities, Japan, Colombia, Slovak Republic, India, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh, and
Hong Kong, China, and Mr. Rossier spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed to revert to this matter the
following day.
On 27 January, the Chairman made a proposal concerning the continuation of the process of
consultations.
The representatives of Egypt, Morocco, Mexico (on behalf of the Informal Group of
Developing Countries), Uruguay, Turkey, Pakista n, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members),
Zimbabwe (on behalf of the African Group) and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.At the General Council meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the Chairman proposed that the
General Council revert to this item at a resumed meeting.
The General Council took note of the statement and so agreed.At the General Council meeting on 1 March 1999, the Chairman made a statement
(WT/GC/17) outlining how he intended to continue the process of selection of the next Director-
General, and Mr. Rossier made a progress report (WT/GC/18).
The representatives of Egypt, United States, Mexico (on behalf of the Informal Group of
Developing Countries), Pakistan, Jamaica, Malays ia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Venezuela,
Japan, Australia, Argentina, European Communities and Turkey spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the report by Mr. Rossier and
adjourned.
At the resumed meeting of the General Council on 17 March 1999, the Chairman made a
statement (Job No. 1563) and a progress report on his consultations, stating that it had been
determined that there was no possibility of promoting a consensus on the Canadian candidate and that
the consultations would proceed in the light of this new situation.
The representatives of Canada, Zimbabwe ( on behalf of the African Group), Mexico,
Pakistan, India, Egypt, Uruguay, United States, Colombia and Turkey spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.At the resumed meeting of the General Council on 24 March 1999, the Chairman reported
that on 22 March the Government of Morocco had announced the withdrawal of its candidate to the
post of Director-General.  He proposed that he and Mr. Rossier continue their intensive consultations
with delegations and report back to the General Council by the end of March.
Mr. Rossier made a statement (Job No. 1705E) on behalf of the Chairman and himself.WT/GC/28
Page 18
The representatives of Morocco, European Communities, Tunisia, Egypt, Pakistan, Australia,
Senegal, Argentina, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), India, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Chile,
Hungary, Uruguay, Cuba, Mexico, Japan, Costa Rica, Bolivia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Côte d'Ivoire,
United States, Turkey, Jamaica, Colombia and Canada, and the Secretary spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the Chairman's proposal and
adjourned.
At the resumed meeting of the General Council on 27 March 1999, the Chairman made a
progress report (Job No. 1814) on the consultations.
The representatives of Pakistan, Egypt, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members),
Mexico, Cuba, Jamaica and Zimbabwe spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.
At the resumed meeting of the General Council on 31 March 1999, the Chairman made a
further progress report on the consultations (Job No. 1914).
The representative of Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members) spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.
At the resumed meeting of the General Council on 14 April 1999, the Chairman recalled that
at an informal meeting of the General Council on 9 April, he had indicated that the difficulties
preventing consensus on either of the remaining candidates were still unresolved.
The representatives of Sri Lanka, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Panama,
Argentina, Kenya, Mexico, Korea, Australia, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, European Communities,
El Salvador, Zimbabwe, Hungary (on behalf of  the CEFTA Members), Norway, Uruguay, United
States, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Morocco, Colombia, India, Brazil, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Chile,
Bolivia, Guatemala, Honduras, Turkey, Ecuador, Vene zuela, Mauritius, Japan and Hong Kong, China
spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.At its meeting on 30 April and 1, 4 and 6 May 1999, the General Council considered this
matter.
On 30 April, the Chairman proposed that the General Council agree to appoint
Mr. Mike Moore as the Director-General of the WTO for a term of office of four years as from
1 May 1999.
The representatives of Mexico, Argentina, I ndia, Uruguay, Malaysia (on behalf of the
ASEAN Members), Japan, Colombia, Zimbabwe, Ge rmany (on behalf of the member States of
European Communities), Canada, Kenya, Bolivia, Egypt, Haiti, Norway, Romania, Nigeria, Hungary,
Argentina , Pakistan, Chile, Belize, Cuba, Venezuela, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Switzerland,
Israel, Poland, Guatemala, Panama, Nicaragua, Australia, United States, Japan, New Zealand,
Bulgaria, Brazil, Peru, Turkey, Slovenia, Cameroon and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The Chairman proposed that the clock be stopped in order to allow more time to reach a
consensus on his proposal.WT/GC/28
Page 19
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.
On 1 May, the Chairman said that the possibilities for reaching a consensus had not been
exhausted and that he was optimistic that consensus could be achieved.
The representatives of Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Mexico, Zimbabwe,
Colombia, Bangladesh, United States, Dominican Repub lic, Nigeria, Uruguay, Japan, Korea, Canada,
India, Egypt, Kenya, Turkey, Pakistan, Bolivia, Morocco, Israel, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica,
Cuba, Bulgaria, Venezuela, Jamaica, Argentina and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.On 4 May, the Chairman made a statement (Job No. 2635) in which he said that in proposing
Mr. Moore on 30 April as the name to be considered by the General Council, he and the facilitator had
eliminated Mr. Supachai from the race.
The representatives of Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Kenya, Uruguay, South
Africa, Peru, Morocco, Ecuador, Mexico, India, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Colombia, Japan,
Brazil, Korea, Sri Lanka, Chile, United States, Pakistan, Egypt, Romania, Venezuela, Cuba, Bolivia,
Australia, Malta, Ghana, Lesotho Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Cameroon,
Turkey and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.On 6 May, the Chairman made a statement (Job No. 2719).
The representatives of Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), New Zealand, Mexico,
Kenya, Colombia, Chile, Lesotho (also on behalf of Mozambique), Argentina, Japan, Korea, United
States, India, Dominican Republic,  Romania, Nigeria, Norway, Czech Republic, Bolivia, Cuba, Costa
Rica, Ghana, Pakistan, Guatemala, Brazil, Australia, Canada, Uganda, Panama, Haiti, Turkey,
Uruguay, Honduras, Nicaragua, Hungary, Venezu ela, Sir Lanka, Egypt, Jamaica, Zimbabwe,
Kyrgyz Republic and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.
At the resumed meeting of the General Council on 26 May 1999, the Chairman made a
statement (Job No. 3029).
The representatives of Japan, Belize, Costa Rica, Mexico, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN
Members), India, Uruguay, Zimbabwe, New Zeal and, Lesotho (also on behalf of Botswana,
Mozambique and Swaziland), Czech Republic, Haiti,  Uganda, Romania, Nigeria, Kenya, Guatemala,
Korea, Bolivia, Cuba, Pakistan, Chile, Egypt, Bulgaria, Colombia, United States, Australia, Norway,
Cameroon, Israel and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.At the resumed meeting of the General Council on 18 June 1999, the Chairman made a
statement (Job No. 3502).
The representatives of Norway, Australia, Turkey, Malaysia (on behalf of the ASEAN
Members), Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Zimbabwe, Uganda , Bangladesh, Bulgaria, Kenya, Ghana, India,
Dominican Republic, Brazil, Bolivia, Pakistan, Ve nezuela, United States, New Zealand, Uruguay,WT/GC/28
Page 20
Morocco, Japan, Korea, Czech Republic, Egypt, Nige ria, Mexico, Slovenia, Thailand, Ecuador, Chile,
Mauritius, Romania, Sri Lanka, Djibouti, Argentina and Hong Kong, China spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adjourned.
At the resumed meeting of the General Council on 22 July 1999, the Chairman proposed for
consideration and adoption a draft decision on the appointment of the next Director-General
(WT/GC/W/258).
The representatives of Bangladesh, Brazil, Argentina, New Zealand, Morocco, United States,
Bolivia, Panama, Japan, Bulgaria, Uruguay, Nigeria, Korea, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic,
Colombia, European Communities, Slovak Republic, Kenya, Chile, Venezuela, Pakistan, Guatemala,
Mexico, India, Zimbabwe, Malta, Mongolia, Israel , Cuba, Honduras, Cameroon, Sri Lanka, Paraguay,
Egypt, Jamaica, South Africa, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Nicaragua, Canada, Myanmar (on
behalf of the ASEAN Members), Australia, Hungary (on behalf of the CEFTA Members and Latvia),
Thailand and Hong Kong, China, and the Chairman and the Secretary of the General Council spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and adopted the draft decision in
WT/GC/W/258.
(b) Offices of Deputy Directors-General (WT/GC/M/48)
At the General Council meeting on 6 October 1999, the Chairman made a statement
(WT/GC/27) in which he described the consultations on this matter and proposed that:
(a) the General Council take note of all views expressed by delegations concerning the
senior management structure of the Secretariat and the number of posts of Deputy
Directors-General;
(b) the General Council agree to revert to this matter at the earliest possible opportunity;
and
(c) in light of the above, the General Council take note that the present senior
management structure of the Secretariat, consisting of one Director-General and four
Deputy Directors-General, is maintained, pending the conclusions to be reached in
the context of the review of the WTO Secretariat and Senior Management Structure.
(d) the General Council agree that the review of the WTO Secretariat and Senior
Management Structure be carried out in conjunction with the review of the current
Rules and Procedures for appointment of Di rectors-General, to be concluded by the
end of September 2000, as provided for in the decision of 22 July 1999 on the
appointment of the next Director-General (WT/L/308), it being understood that the
review of the WTO Secretariat and Senior Management Structure shall be carried outin the light of the earlier discussions held in the General Council on this matter in
1997 and 1998, based on the decision adopted by the General Council on
24 April 1997 (WT/L/207).
The representatives of Mexico (also on behalf of the Informal Group of Developing
Countries), Morocco, Japan, Tunisia, Uganda, India, Venezuela, Pakistan, European Communities,
United States, Panama, Australia, Jamaica, Kenya (also on behalf of the African Group), Malaysia,
Canada, Poland, Hungary, Uruguay, Philippines, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Sri Lanka, Brazil,
New Zealand, Turkey and Hong Kong, China, and the Director-General spoke.WT/GC/28
Page 21
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed that if no objection was received
by the Secretariat by 11 October 1999, the Chairman's proposal would be considered as agreed.16
(c) Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan
(i) Election of the Chairman, membe rs and alternates (WT/GC/M/35, 38)
At the General Council meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the Chairman said that
consultations were under way on the designation of representatives for election to the Management
Board of the WTO Pension Plan.
The General Council took note of the statement.At the General Council meeting on 26 March 1999, the Chairman proposed candidates for
election to the Management Board of the WTO Pension Plan.
The representatives of Turkey and Bulgaria spoke.The General Council took note of the statements and agreed on the election of the candidates
proposed (WT/L/297).
24. Observer status
(a) Governments
(i) Yemen (WT/GC/M/40)
At its meeting on 14 April 1999, the General Council considered a request from Yemen for
observer status in the General Council and its subsidiary bodies (WT/L/296).
The representative of Egypt spoke.
The General Council took note of the statement and agreed to grant the request.
(b) International intergovernmental organiza tions (WT/GC/M/35, 40/Add.3, WT/GC/M/45, 48)
At the General Council meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the representative of the
United States raised the issue of pending requests for observer status by several international
organizations.
The representatives of Pakistan, Egypt and Uruguay, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed that the Chairman would hold
consultations on this matter.
At its meeting on 15 June 1999 the General Council considered this matter.
The representatives of the United States, European Communities, Canada, Egypt, Japan,
Mexico, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Australia, Cuba, Pakistan, Brazil, Venezuela, Malaysia (on behalf of
the ASEAN Members), Hungary, Senegal, Burundi and Korea spoke.
                                                     
16No objections were received.WT/GC/28
Page 22
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed that the Chairman would
undertake further consultations on this matter.
At its meeting on 15 July 1999, the General Council considered a communication from the
United States (WT/GC/22/Rev.1).
The representatives of the United States, Mexico, Korea, Japan, Hungary, Brazil, Australia,
Switzerland, European Communities, Canada, Norway, New Zealand, Israel, Chile, Egypt, Ghana,
Mauritius, Pakistan, Myanmar (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements , agreed that if there were no objection by
31 July 1999, the supplementary guidelines cont ained in WT/GC/22/Rev.1, as amended, would be
considered at that date as agreed, agreed that the Chairman would hold informal consultations on the
pending requests for observer status in the General Council from international intergovernmental
organizations, and agreed to revert to this matter at a future meeting in the light of those consultations.
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the Chairman informed the General Council that
consultations on this matter had not as yet produced any agreement, and that he would conduct further
consultations at the earliest possible opportunity and would keep the General Council informed of any
developments.
The General Council took note of this information.
25. 1999 Ministerial Conference
(a) Organization of work for the Conference (WT/GC/M/50)
At the General Council meeting on 3 and 4 November 199917, the Chairman made a statement
outlining the organization of work at the 1999 Ministerial Conference.18
The representatives of Bolivia, Panama, Mauritius, Cuba, Uganda, and the Chairman spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and of the organization of work.
(b) Participation in the Conference
(i) Participation of acceding countries as observers in the preparatory work for the 1999
Ministerial Conference (WT/GC/M/45)
At the General Council meeting on 15 July 1999, the Chairman proposed that the General
Council agree that acceding governments be exceptionally invited to attend, as observers, the General
Council's informal preparatory meetings for the 1999 Ministerial Conference.
The representatives of Egypt, Myanmar (on behalf of the ASEAN Members), Panama, Brazil,
Japan and Mexico, and the Chairman and the Secretary of the General Council spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements and agreed that observer governments be
exceptionally invited to attend the General C ouncil's informal preparatory meetings for the
1999 Ministerial Conference.
                                                     
17In these Minutes the item is called "Organization of work for the Third Ministerial Conference".
18This information was subsequently circulated in WT/MIN(99)/4.WT/GC/28
Page 23
(ii) Attendance of governments as observers at th e 1999 Ministerial Conference (WT/GC/M/48,
50)
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the General Council agreed to invite the Governments of
Sao Tomé and Principe, Equatorial Guinea and San Marino to attend as observers the 1999
Ministerial Conference.
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the Chairman proposed that the General Council
agree that unless any objection was received by the Secretariat from any Member by
8 November 1999, the following governments be invited to attend as observers the 1999 Ministerial
Conference: the Bahamas, the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Eritrea and Comoros.
The representative Egypt spoke.
The General Council took note of the statement and agreed to the Chairman's proposal.19
(iii) Attendance of international intergovernmental organizations as observers at the
1999 Ministerial Conference (WT/GC/M/ 40Add.3, WT/GC/M/45, WT/GC/M/48 and Corr.1,
WT/GC/M/50)
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council agreed to procedures for attendance, as
observers, of international intergovernmental organizations at the 1999 Ministerial Conference.
At its meeting on 15 July 1999, the General Council agreed that, unless any objection was
received by the Secretariat from any Member by 29 July, the Economic Cooperation Organization and
the Energy Charter Conference be granted observer status at the 1999 Ministerial Conference.
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the General Council agreed that, unless any objection was
received by the Secretariat from any Member by 21 October, the League of Arab States, the World
Tourism Organization, the Latin American Organization for Fisheries Development, and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture be granted observer status at the 1999 Ministerial
Conference.
20
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the General Council agreed that unless any
objection was received by the Secretariat from any Member by 8 November 1999, the following
international intergovernmental organizations be granted observer status at the 1999 Ministerial
Conference:  the International Civil Aviation Organization, the West African Economic and Monetary
Union, the Conference of Ministers of Agricultur e of West and Central Africa, the Organisation
Internationale de la Francophonie, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and the United
Nations University.21
The representatives of Egypt, Philippines, Bulgaria, United States, Israel and Tunisia, and the
Chairman, the Secretary of the General Council and the Director of the External Relations Division
spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
                                                     
19No objections were received to the requests by the Bahamas, Eritrea and Comoros.  The period for
consideration of the request from the Libyan Arab Jamahiriya was extended until 19 November 1999.
20Subsequent to the meeting, the S ecretariat received two objections to the granting of observer status
to the League of Arab States at the 1999 Ministerial Conference.
21No objections were received.WT/GC/28
Page 24
(iv) Attendance of non-governmental organizations at the 1999 Ministerial Conference
(WT/GC/M/40/Add.3)
At its meeting on 15 June 1999, the General Council agreed to procedures for the attendance
of non-governmental organizations at the 1999 Ministerial Conference.
26. Chairmanship of the Dispute Settlement Body (WT/GC/M/48)
At its meeting on 6 October 1999, the Chairman informed the General Council that
Mr. Kåre Bryn (Norway) had agreed to replace Mr . Akao, who had left Geneva, for the remainder of
the latter's term as Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body.
27. Appointment of officers to WTO bodies (WT/GC/M/35, 50)
At the General Council meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the Chairman said that in
accordance with the guidelines for appointment of officers to WTO bodies approved by the General
Council in January 1995 (WT/L/31), he had held informal consultations on this matter, on the basis of
which he considered that there was a consensus on the following slate of names:
General Council Mr. Ali Said Mchumo (Tanzania)
Dispute Settlement Body Mr. Nobutoshi Akao (Japan)
Trade Policy Review Body Mr. Jean-Marie Noirfalisse (Belgium)
Council for Trade in Goods Mr.  Roger Farrell (New Zealand)
Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual
Property Rights (TRIPs)Mr. Carlos Pérez del Castillo (Uruguay)
Council for Trade in Services Mr. Stuart Harbinson (Hong Kong, China)
Committee on Trade and Environment Mr. István Major (Hungary)
Committee on Trade and Development Mr. Absa Claude Diallo (Senegal)Committee on Budget, Finance and
AdministrationMrs. Laurence Dubois-Destrizais (France)
Committee on Balance-of-Payments Restrictions Mr. Tomasz Jodko (Poland)
Committee on Regional Trade Agreements Mr. Krirk-Krai Jirapaet (Thailand)
Working Group on the Relationship between
Trade and InvestmentMr. Man Soon Chang (Korea)
Working Group on the Interaction between Trade
and Competition PolicyMr. Frédéric Jenny (France)
Working Group on Transparency in Government
ProcurementMr. Ronald Saborío Soto (Costa Rica)
The Chairman said that there was also a consensus on the re-appointment of Mr. Nestor
Osorio Londoño as the Chairman of the Committee on Agriculture.
The General Council took note of the statement and of the consensus on the above slate of
names.
At the General Council meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the Chairman said that due to the
intensity of preparations for the Third Ministeria l Conference, it had not been possible to carry out
consultations on this matter, and that these would be held as soon as possible after that Conference.
The General Council took note of this information.WT/GC/28
Page 25
28. Election of Chairperson (WT/GC/M/35)
At the General Council meeting on 15 and 16 February 1999, the Chairman, as the outgoing
presiding officer of the General Council, made a statement (WT/GC(99)/ST/1).
The General Council then unanimously elected Mr. A. Mchumo (Tanzania) to the Chair, who
also made a statement (WT/GC(99)/ST/2).
29. Parting statement by the Director-General (WT/GC/M/40)
At the General Council meeting on 14 April 1999, the Director-General made a parting
statement (WT/GC/(99)/ST/3).
The representatives of Canada, Switzerland, Egypt, Jamaica, Hungary, Colombia, Japan,
United States, Turkey, European Communities, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Haiti, Chile, Korea, India,
Australia, New Zealand, Norway, Malaysia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Barbados, Paraguay, Senegal, Malta
and Hong Kong, China and the Russian Federation (as an observer) spoke.
The General Council took note of the statements.
30. Review of WTO activities (WT/GC/M/50)
At its meeting on 3 and 4 November 1999, the General Council conducted a review of WTO
activities in pursuance of the Decision concerning procedures for the overview of WTO activities and
for reporting under the WTO (WT/L/105).  In so doing, the General Council considered annual
reports for 1999 from WTO bodies.
Chairpersons of various WTO bodies presented the annual reports submitted by those bodies.
The General Council adopted the report of the Committee on Trade and Development
(WT/COMTD/22), took note of the reports from WTO bodies22 in documents WT/DSB/16 and Add.1
and Corr.1, WT/TPR/69, G/L/337, S/C/10, IP/C/ 19, WT/BOP/R/47, WT/B FA/43, WT/REG/8,
WT/CTE/4, WT/WGTI/3, WT/WGTCP/3, WT/WGTGP /3 and GPA/30, and took note of the
statements.
The representatives of Australia, Malaysia and India, and the Chairman spoke.The General Council took note of the statements and adopted its draft report (WT/GC/W/345
and Add.1) on the understanding that the Secretariat would make the necessary adjustments to it so as
to include matters discussed at this meeting.
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22A communication from the Chairman of the Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft to the Chairman of
the General Council reporting on the Committee's activities was circulated in document Job No. 6358.