./.RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/IT/M/11
14 December 1998
(98-5027)
Committee of Participants on the Expansion of Trade
in Information Technology Products
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 17 JULY 1998
Chairman:  Mr. M. Harvey (New Zealand)
Review of product coverage
1.1 The Chairman stated after two days of gruelling negotiations and discussions there had been
some movement and some welcome breakthroughs in some areas that added to the prospect for an
agreement.  Unfortunately, however, the various interests and sensitivities of participants did notconverge sufficiently at this stage to allow a consensus to be reached on a package of products for the
revision of Attachments A and B to the Ministeria l Declaration.  Amongst a core of countries there
was the makings of a package, but there were certain key obstacles that remained and he hoped that
these could be overcome.  Consultations with participants had revealed that there was still a
determination to resolve outstanding difficulties. Additionally, no delegation at this stage wanted tostop negotiations and everyone was looking for a constructive approach.  Therefore, he proposed to
suspend the negotiations today.
1.2 He noted that delegations clearly needed more time to reflect on their positions, and he hoped
that some creative solutions to this impasse could be reached.  As Chairman, he undertook to consultwith delegations before the end of September to determine whether there was still the possibility of
reaching agreement on a final package. He indicated that in order to recommence negotiations, he
needed very frank indications of delegations' positions, of their willingness to work for a solution and,
more importantly perhaps, indications of the flexib ility and creativity needed to find such a solution.
If, on the basis of these consultations, there was a solid chance of finalizing a package for the revision
of Attachments A and B, he would consult on the dates for convening a meeting. He hoped to have
the opportunity to call Members together to finalize the negotiations with the cooperation of allparticipants.  He noted the need for Members to en gage with each other in the intervening period, to
test out the possibilities, and for indications that there was a clear opening that would allow
finalization of the package.  The way forward seemed  clear for the meantime, but there remained a lot
of work to be done before the Committee reconvened again.  He further indicated that he would be
issuing a revised version of the Chairman's Text and of the Consolidated List of Proposals in themeantime.  This revision would only comprise technical changes that had resulted from the
discussions over the last two days.  He did not propose  to issue a new text.  He stated that it was clear
where the difficulties were and that he and the Secretariat were available to discuss with delegations
what had transpired and to give indications of where the negotiations stood.
1.3 The delegate of Thailand expressed his sincere appreciation to the Chairman for his efforts
and the ever-positive attitude throughout this extended negotiation process in the hope for a successful
conclusion.  In order to prevent any misunderstanding or confusion among participants that may arise
as to what exactly was contained in the Chairman's statement, he wished to recount what was said
point by point.  He mentioned that, at this point in time, there was the making of a package among thecore participants who had been involved in the negotiation process, although at this juncture
agreement could not be reached, but it was hoped that such an impasse would be overcome.
Therefore, the Chairman proposed to suspend the process and to allow more time for participants toG/IT/M/11
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reflect on the positions they had on the table.  In addition, the Chairman noted a need for everyone to
further determine the possibility of reaching an agreement on a final package.  Thus, everyone was
invited to come with frank and candid indications rega rding the assessment of the situation, and at the
same time encouraged to try to be flexible and creative so as to find such a solution.  Consequently,
the Chairman proposed to hold consultations with i ndividual participants in order to determine the
possibility of continuing with the negotiating process before taking further steps to set up a date for
convening another meeting.  Given the proposal to defer the process and to hold another meeting
sometime in the future, and in light of the fact that  this was a very important decision yet to be taken
by the capital, he wished to reiterate his understanding that the Chairman would take a careful
sounding among participants to see whether, by that time, there existed promising prospects of
reaching agreement on a final package.  Based on this understanding, Thailand could go along with
the consensus on the recommendation put forward by the Chairman today, subject to confirmation bythe capital.
1.4 The Committee agreed to suspend the negotiations as proposed by the Chairman.
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