RESTRICTEDWORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONS/C/W/69
19 November 1998
(98-4666)
Council for Trade in Services Original:  English
COMMUNICATION FROM THE UNITED STATES
Proposal for an Information Session on Telecommunications Services Agreement
Technical Assistance Sources and Needs
The attached paper has been received from the delegation of the United States with the
request that it be circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in Services.
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At the September 1998 WTO General Council meeting, Members agreed to pursue a
discussion of the issues identified in paragraph 9 of the May 1998 Ministerial Declaration, beginning
with agenda item 9(a)(i):  "issues including  those brought forward by Members, relating to
implementation of existing agreements and decisions".  At the October 1998 WTO General Council
meeting, the United States submitted a proposal  for an "Information Session on Telecommunications
Services Agreement Technical Assistance Sources and Needs".  It was suggested that this proposal be
brought to the attention of Members of the Council on Trade in Services for their further
consideration.
The United States agrees with other Members that full and effective implementation of the
Agreements concluded in the Uruguay Round and thereafter must remain a top priority for the WTO
as we prepare for the forward agenda that Ministers will consider in November 1999.  The purpose of
an Information Session on Telecommunications would be to share views on the results of the
Agreement thus far and, in particular, to discuss what technical assistance efforts already have been
undertaken and what is needed in the future.  We be lieve that such a session would help inform the
current deliberations of the GATS Council on whether and, if so, how to finalize a cooperation
agreement proposed by the ITU.
Practical steps are needed to address the technical assistance needs in this area.  The
International Telecommunications Union (ITU) a nd many Members' telecommunications agencies
have been busy responding to countries' increasing re quests for assistance in regulatory reform efforts
that are both associated and unassociated with the WTO Basic Telecommunications Agreement.  The
need for technical assistance appears to be widely and deeply felt, in the developing and also the
industrialized world, regarding, e.g. the establishment of an independent regulator;  the setting of cost-
oriented, non-discriminatory interconnection prices;  the prevention of anti-competitive practices;  andthe establishment of transparent government regulations.  We invite Members to consider this
proposal in light of these needs, and in recognition of the usefulness of dialogue and cooperation in
assuring the success of this important agreement.
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