./.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/TMB/N/336
27 July 1998
(98-2938)
Textiles Monitoring Body Original:  English
AGREEMENT ON TEXTILES AND CLOTHING
Communication from Hong Kong, China; India and Pakistan
The Textiles Monitoring Body has receiv ed the following joint communication from
Hong Kong, China; India and Pakistan and is circulating it to WTO Members for their information.G/TMB/N/336
Page 2
13 July 1998
H. E. Mr. András Szepesi
ChairmanTextiles Monitoring Body
WTO Secretariat
Centre William Rappard
1211 Geneva 20
Mr. Chairman,
Further to our joint letter dated 17 June 1998
1, we note from the United States letter
dated 10 July 19982 addressed to you that the United States will eliminate visa requirements with
respect to products integrated in Stage 2, without conditions and as soon as practicable, but in any
event no later than 31 December 1998.
We remain of the view for the reasons stated in our earlier letter that maintenance of the visa
requirement for integrated products is not consistent with obligations under Article 2.8(a) of the
Agreement on Textiles and Clothing.  But, on the clear understanding that the said United States visa
requirement is to be eliminated, without conditions and as soon as practicable, but in any even no laterthan 31 December 1998, we agree that it is not necessary for the Textiles Monitoring Body to
continue with the review under Article 2.21 of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing requested in
our earlier letter, subject to the records of the Textiles Monitoring Body incorporating,  inter alia , the
texts of the relevant correspondence you have received relating to this review.  This is without
prejudice to the right of any of us to submit a furt her request for a similar review should this become
necessary.
We expect the Textiles Monitoring Body to fulfil its responsibilities under the first sentence
of Article 2.21 of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing by keeping under review the
implementation of Article 2.8(a) of the Agreement on Textiles and Clothing by the United States with
particular reference to this matter.
We further note that the United States letter raises certain other matters reportedly discussed
bilaterally with each of us.  These other matters, being outside the purview of Article 2 of the
Agreement on Textiles and Clothing, are unrelated to the matter for review by the Textiles Monitoring
Body.
Please accept, Mr. Chairman, the assurance of our highest consideration.
(signed) (signed) (signed)
Stuart Harbinson Srinivasan Narayanan Munir Akram
Permanent Representative Ambassador Ambassador
of the Hong Kong SAR Permanent Representative Permanent Representative
of China to the WTO of India to the WTO of Pakistan to the WTO
__________
                                                     
1 See G/TMB/N/329.
2 See G/TMB/N/333.