WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS245/6
23 October 2003
(03-5674)
Original:  English
JAPAN – MEASURES AFFECTING THE IMPORTATION OF APPLES
Communication from the Appellate Body
The following communication, dated 23 October 2003, from the Chairman of the Appellate
Body addressed to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with
Article 17.5 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes .
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I am writing to you pursuant to Article 17.5 of the  Understanding on Rules and Procedures
Governing the Settlement of Disputes ,  which stipulates that, as a general rule, the Appellate Body will
circulate its report no later than 60 days after the appellant has formally notified the Dispute
Settlement Body of its decision to appeal.  Article 17.5 states, furthermore, that when the Appellate
Body considers that it cannot provide its report within 60 days, it shall inform the DSB in writing of
the reasons for the delay together with an estimate of the period within which it will submit its report.
Japan notified the Dispute Settlement Body on 28 August 2003 of its decision to appeal
certain issues of law covered in the Panel Report and legal interpretations developed by the Panel in
this case, with the result that the 60-day period expires on Monday, 27 October 2003.  Due to the time
required for completion and translation of the Report, the Appellate Body will not be able to circulate
its Report by Monday, 27 October 2003.  We estimate that the Appellate Body Report in this appeal
will be circulated to WTO Members no later than Wednesday, 26 November 2003.
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