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Last week's WTO General Council Meeting, May13, is seen as a 'historic' event by the Secretariat because for the first time, the heads of the World Bank (WB), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the WTO met with the entire membership of the WTO.

Supporters of the 'mini-ministerial' process, including Zoellick and Lamy, have argued that it tends to keep top trade officials fully engaged in WTO issues and this year will help pave the way for a smooth ministerial meeting in Cancun.

'It's a fairly difficult process,' the official said. 'But we're hopeful.'

There seems to be very little clarity on the part of the Secretariat and member states on the way forward regarding progress in these issues and in particular how these and other issues will play out in the 5th WTO Ministerial in Cancun.

African groups condemn Bush administration's WTO Challenge of European GMO policies, stating GMOs not answer to African hunger.

African groups condemn Bush administration's WTO Challenge of European GMO policies, stating GMOs not answer to African hunger.

'With no proven risk to human health from GM products the USA argues that such labelling will be a disguised form of trade protection,' UK liberal Chris Davies said.

The Developing Countries (DCs) continue to be frustrated because none of the mandated issues regarding implementation and Special and Differential Treatment (S&D) have progressed and resolution of S&D talks has been postponed to December of 2002.

Jos

According to sources, Japan will acknowledge that the clarification exercise regarding issues such Investment and Competition is