Brussels, 07/03/2003 (Agence Europe) - Last week in Washington, European Commissioner Pascal Lamy received assurance, as hoped, that "our affairs can continue to be managed in the current difficult geopolitical and economic context". In addition to this broad discussion with his opposite number Robert Zoellick, Mr Lamy had the feeling, after meetings in Congress (which is taking time to complete the half dozen transatlantic disputes still to be resolved), that progress is being made in the case of copyright on the diffusion of music in public places and regarding the 1916 anti-dumping legislation. For the rest - other disputes involving amendment of the US trade legislation, including the Byrd Amendment and tax relief for exports (FSC) - he said they were concerned at seeing that not much is happening. He spoke of a matter of "urgency" but this time refrained from setting any ultimatum for Capitol Hill.
The Commissioner, like Mr Zoellick, considers the current geopolitical circumstances make it more necessary than ever to handle the Euro-American trade agenda with great care and cooperation. Mr Zoellick went on to say that it is a period of great international tension and uncertainty and that he felt they both realised how important the international economy was in such a context, not only for its stabilising potential today but also, if we look toward the future, for growth and opportunities. And yet, and despite the "reasonable mixture of things on which we agree and disagree", Mr Lamy said there is a "problem of observance" with the United States on the adverse judgement of the World Trade Organisation which finds its origin at the level of Congress rather than at the level of the Administration, which has "taken its stances and assumed its responsibilities". Nonetheless, in some cases progress may be hoped for in the near future. Regarding the legislative recasting aimed at eliminating the FSC from the American tax code, the relevant Congress bodies should finally enter into the heart of the subject early in the spring - after long months of inertia, partially due to the legislative elections last year, on the basis of the proposals that Bill Thomas, Chair of the Ways and Means Committee, will again present in an identical way or in an amended form. Mr Thomas also noted a draft legislation, which would allow the question of copyright to be resolved in the near future (creation of a fund intended to compensate Irish artists), and also for bringing the 1916 Anti-Dumping Legislation into conformity with the Geneva verdict.
GMOs: United States seeks allies
In the matter of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) hardly raised by Mr Lamy and Mr Zoellick, "we have the impression that an American complaint is imminent", it is stressed in the Commissioner's circle. The Congress continues, however, to step up pressure on the Administration so that it turns to the WTO to gain waiving of the European moratorium. Confronted on Wednesday by fierce criticism from Senators frustrated by the wait-and-see attitude of the White House and the State Department, Mr Zoellick recalled that the draft complaint that he had himself supported early this year obviously comes into a period when a great deal is happening on the international scene. He said he still hoped it would be given concrete substance "soon". "If and when we take the matter (to Geneva), it should not simply be a legal matter. What we have to do is win the debate on biotechnologies, and also win over public opinion", he explained. The United States is seeking allies (Ed.: Australia, Canada, Canada have apparently already been approached), as, Mr Zoellick says, "I do not want it to be just the US against Europe".