8:41 AM Feb 14, 1996
US TO COLLAPSE MARITIME TALKS ?
Geneva 13 Feb (Chakravarthi Raghavan) -- The United States would appear to have made clear at the talks on trade in maritime services that it won't table any offers. The negotiating group on maritime services is due to end this round of talks Friday. The US position, if persisted in, would effectively kill the efforts to reach a sectoral agreement on maritime services, which covers ocean going shipping, port access and terminal work. While the US is arguing that it needs to see on the table more meaningful market opening from other trade partners, the reality is that the US maritime interests -- both owners and trade unions -- are opposing any agreement at this time, or even bargaining over one. US media reports show that both the major carriers as well as the maritime workers union which have considerably influence over Congress have advised the US trade officials not to participate in the talks. European nations, seeking an agreement, have been apparently willing to put into the basket of 'maritime services', multi-modal transport which involves movement of cargo inside a country from and to the port. While not so far winning US support, other participating countries in the talks, including some of the ASEAN, Japan, South Korea, Brazil and others are reported to be unwilling to put multimodal transport into the maritime services sector. While some of the negotiating countries want the talks to be extended beyond the June deadline set by the Marrakesh Ministerial decision, in the belief once this year's Presidential and Congressional elections are over in the United States, it may be easier to reach an accord, US maritime interests are opposing any extension. Meanwhile, in the basic telecommunication talks, which are set to end in April, the US would appear to have suggested that rather than prolong the negotiations to pressure others to liberalise more, the negotiations should be concluded on the basis of existing offers, inadequate though they are, and wait for another round to attempt further liberalisation. This has however puzzled several of other negotiating partners. The next round of talks on basic telecommunication services is due to be held next week.