WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS27/22
9 September 1998
(98-3543)
Original:  English
EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES – REGIME FOR THE IMPORTATION,
SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BANANAS
Request to Join Consultations
Communication from Jamaica
The following communication, dated 8 September 1998, from the Permanent Mission of
Jamaica to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated pursuant to the procedure
provided for under Article 21.5 of the DSU.
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The Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the World Trade Organisation presents its compliments
to the Permanent Delegation of the European Communities to the World Trade Organisation and
hereby informs it that the Government of Jamaica takes note of the request of the Governments of
Ecuador, the United States, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico, as circulated in document
WT/DS27/18 of 31 August 1998, for the holding of consultations with the European Communities on
its compliance with the recommendations and rulings in European Communities – Regime for the
Importation, Sale and Distribution of Bananas.   The decision of the Arbitrator, Dr. El-Naggar
provides for a reasonable period of time until 1 January 1999 for the EC to  comply with the DSB
rulings and recommendations.
The Permanent Mission of Jamaica is informed that the amendments to Regulation (EEC)
No. 404/93 on the common organization of the market  on bananas as a consequence of the adoption
of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1637/98 of 20 July 1998 does not include provisions on thedistribution of licenses.  In short the EC has not yet completed the incorporation of all measures in its
regulations which could constitute the basis for any assessment as to compliance or conformity.  The
request for consultations by the five members in question is at best premature.
The Permanent Mission of Jamaica, notwithstanding and in light of its significant and
substantial interest in the matter, evidenced by its participation along with Members of the African,
Caribbean and Pacific Group of Countries as Third Parties in the adjudication by each of the panels
established by the GATT and WTO, requests to be joined in these consultations.  This request is
without prejudice to the validity of the arguments adduced as set out in WT/DS27/18 which remain to
be decided by the DSB.
The Permanent Mission of Jamaica to the World Trade Organisation avails itself of this
opportunity to renew to the Permanent Delegation of the European Communities to the World Trade
Organisation, the assurances of its highest consideration.
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