WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS34/5
21 January 1999
(99-0196)
Original:  English
TURKEY – RESTRICTIONS ON IMPORTS OF TEXTILE AND
CLOTHING PRODUCTS
Communication from the Chairman of the Panel
The following communication, dated 20 January 1999, addressed to the Dispute Settlement
Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 12.9 of the DSU.
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Article 12.8 of the DSU stipulated that the period in which the panel shall conduct its
examination, from the date that the composition and terms of reference of the panel have been decided
until the date the final report is issued to the parties, shall, as a general rule, not exceed six months.
Article 12.9 of the DSU states that when the panel considers that it cannot issue its report
within six months, it shall inform the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) in writing of the reasons for the
delay together with an estimate of the period within which it will issue its report.
The Panel "Turkey – Restrictions on Imports  of Textile and Clothing Products" was
established at the request of India by the DSB on 13 March 1998.  Parties agreed on the composition
of the Panel on 21 July 1998.  On 14 August 1998, Turkey requested preliminary rulings by the Panelon a number of issues.  After receiving comments from the parties on these issues, the Panel met with
Turkey and India on 19 September 1998 on this matter, and issued its ruling on 25 September 1998.
This additional work, as well as the complexity of  the issues involved, delayed the Panel's timetable.
As a result, the Panel will not be able to issue its report within six months.
The Panel expects to complete its work by the end of March 1999.
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