WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS166/11
23 March 2001
(01-1446)
Original:  English
UNITED STATES – DEFINITIVE SAFEGUARD MEASURE ON IMPORTS OF
WHEAT GLUTEN FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Request from the European Communities
for Arbitration under Article 21.3(c) of the DSU
The following communication, dated 20 March 2001, from the Permanent Delegation of the
European Commission to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated at the request of
that delegation.
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On 19 January 2001, the Dispute Settlement Body adopted the recommendations and rulings
contained in the Appellate Body and Panel reports  in the proceeding "United States – Definitive
Safeguard Measures on Import of Wheat Gluten from the European Communities" (DS 166).
At the meeting of the DSB, held on 16 February 2001, the United States indicated that it
intended to implement the recommendations and rulings of the DSB and that it needed a reasonable
period of time to do so.  It however declined to provide any indication on the duration of such period,
at said DSB meeting or during any subsequent bilateral contacts.
Therefore, in view of the impossibility to re ach an agreement with the United States on the
period of time required for the implementation of those recommendations and rulings, the European
Communities hereby request that such period, if any, be determined by binding arbitration pursuant to
Article 21.3(c) of the Understanding on Rules and Pr ocedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes
(DSU).
The representatives of the European Communities will immediately open discussions with the
United States with a view to achieving agreement on a arbitrator within the next ten days.
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