However, some observers said that any package emerging from the week of talks would be far less ambitious than expected, with fresh questions being asked about the way in which powerful countries were able to hijack the agenda at the World Trade Organisation. It was supported by Caribbean and Latin American countries. WTO sources said they remained confident that ministers would agree to launch a new three-year round of trade liberalisation talks, but admitted that time was running out for negotiators. While some were preparing for a second sleepless night, some reports said that the Seattle police had imposed their own deadline by insisting that the massive security net around the conference centre would be scaled down from midnight last night. A senior British source said that the intense work had paid off, with most of the key issues close to being resolved.
Agriculture looks like a done deal and there is an agreed form of words on labour standards.
However, Yash Tandon, of Zimbabwe, said the OAU was united against the proposed deal. Africa is asserting itself for the first time. They have no regard or decency. The concerns of Africa have not been reflected. We will not give consensus.