RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONGPA/W/97
1 October 1999
(99-4079)
Committee on Government Procurement Original:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM CANADA
The following communication, dated 30 September 1999, has been received from the
Permanent Mission of Canada with the request that it be circulated to the Committee on Government
Procurement.
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This is a response to the document GPA/W/91, dated 6 September 1999, which contains a
notification from the Permanent Mission of Japan, received by the Secretariat on 3 September 1999,
concerning proposed changes to Japan's Annex 3 of the Agreement on Government Procurement.
Article XXIV:6 of the Agreement on Government Procurement provides 30 days for other
Parties to object to the notification.  Canada consider s that further information is required to assess the
basis for and effect of the proposed changes.
Specifically:
1. Under which of Article XXIV:6(a) or Article XXIV:6(b) has the notification been
made?
2. What is the Japanese Government's control and influence over NTT Company (the
holding company?
3.  What is the Japanese Government's control and influence over NTT
Communications?
4. What is the relationship between NTT Company (the holding company) and NTT
Communications?
5. How has the "balance of rights and obligations" and "comparable level of mutually
agreed coverage" been maintained?
6. Are all the functions of the former NTT Company now being carried out by the
holding company and the three new companies?
Canada, therefore, objects to the proposed changes going into effect at the end of the 30-day
period.  We would appreciate Japan's response to these questions.  We will review the responses andseek further clarification as required.  Canada reserves the right to request consultations.  We will
continue to inform the Committee regarding the progress of the matter.
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