Top WTO nations hail deal on Doha

Leading trading nations applauded a breakthrough deal in the Doha global trade round, saying it would put the stalled talks back on track and revive confidence in the multilateral trading system. The WTO's 147 member governments approved on 31 July 2004 a package of framework and other agreements, which Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi said will greatly enhance members' chances for successfully completing the important Doha negotiations. However, Friends of the Earth said that the deal was the result of undemocratic procedures and intense pressure that rich countries exerted on developing countries.

http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/dda_package_sum_31july04_e.htm http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news04_e/dda_package_sum_31july04_e.htm

http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dda_e/draft_text_gc_dg_31july04_e.htm http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dda_e/draft_text_gc_dg_31july04_e.htm

http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2004/AW_01_August_WTO.htm http://www.foeeurope.org/press/2004/AW_01_August_WTO.htm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3525602.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/3525602.stm

http://ec.europa.eu/comm/trade/issues/newround/doha_da/pr310704_en.htm http://ec.europa.eu/comm/trade/issues/newround/doha_da/pr310704_en.htm

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