Newsletter #15, April 2006   AMERICAN EUROPEAN INSTITUTE NEWSLETTER This newsletter consists of a selection of recent press releases that may be of some interest as background to the transatlantic relationship. These include governmental and NGO press releases from Europe and America. If you feel there are areas not covered in this release please do not hesitate to e-mail me on duncan.ritchie@americaneuropeaninstitute.com Contents: White House US Department of State US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations US International Trade Commission U.S Department of Commerce Office of the United States Trade Representative European Commission E.U Government Austria France Germany United Kingdom NGO’s WTO WHITE HOUSE 6 April United States Welcomes Joint Statement by the British and Irish Prime Ministers President Bush welcomed the announcement by Prime Ministers Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern on restoring the Northern Ireland Assembly established by the Good Friday Agreement. A short statement can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060406-6.html 10 April President Bush Discusses Global War on Terror A speech and Q&A session at The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at The Johns Hopkins University, Washington, D.C. Full text at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060410-1.html 14 April President Bush Expresses Full Support, Appreciation for Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Press release at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/04/20060414.html US DEPARTMENT OF STATE 1 April Remarks with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw at Blackburn Town Hall http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/63980.htm Interview with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw on the Jonathan Dimbleby Programme ITV1 http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/63993.htm 2 April Remarks with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw En Route to Baghdad, Iraq http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/63990.htm 3 April Remarks with British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw Secretary Condoleezza Rice and Jack Straw press conference in Baghdad, Iraq. http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/64036.htm 4 April Works by U.S. Artist Felix Gonzalez-Torres to Represent United States at 2007 Venice Biennale, Exhibitions Also Selected for 2006 Biennales in Cairo, Dakar and São Paulo The U.S. Department of State announced the results of an open competition to select the U.S. representative to the 2007 Venice Biennale. Further details at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/64112.htm 5 April Special Briefing on Release of Supporting Human Rights and Democracy: The U.S. Record 2005-2006 Briefing given by Paula Dobriansky, Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs; Barry F. Lowenkron, Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labour in Washington, DC. Full briefing at: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/spbr/64148.htm 6 April The United States Will Not Seek Election to the UN Human Rights Council The United States will not run for a United Nations Human Rights Council seat in the Council’s first election, scheduled for May 9, 2006. Further information at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/64182.htm Facilitation of Visas for Entertainers US Consular sections around the world go to great lengths to facilitate travel for visiting entertainers and often arrange for entertainment groups to appear outside regular processing hours to streamline processing. Further information at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/64179.htm 18 April Release of Foreign Relations Volume The Department of State has released Foreign Relations of the United States, 1969-1976, volume VI, Vietnam, January 1969-July 1970, the first of five volumes to cover the end of the Vietnam war. Information about this publication at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/64650.htm 19 April Secretary Condoleezza Rice’s Opening Remarks and Q&A Session at Chicago Council on Foreign Relations Speech and Q& A given at the Chicago Hilton, Chicago, Illinois. Full speech at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/64797.htm 21 April Secretary Condoleezza Rice’s Remarks to Edward R. Murrow Journalism Program Participants Talk given by Condoleezza Rice at the Loy Henderson Auditorium, Washington. Full text at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/64969.htm Remarks With Christian Schwarz-Schilling, High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina Before Their Meeting A short press conference given by R. Nicholas Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs and Mr Schwarz-Schilling in Washington. Full text at: http://www.state.gov/p/us/rm/2006/64933.htm 25 April Remarks With Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Gul After Their Meeting A short speech and Q&A session given by Secretary Condoleezza Rice and the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister in Ankara. Full text at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/65234.htm Remarks With Greek Foreign Minister Theodora Bakoyannis After Meeting A short speech and Q&A session given by both Secretary Condoleezza Rice and the Greek Foreign Minister in Athens. Full text at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/65224.htm 27 April Remarks after NATO Ministerial Meeting A short speech and Q&A session by Secretary Condoleezza Rice after an informal session of the foreign ministers of NATO in Sofia, Bulgaria. Full text at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/65384.htm 28 April Remarks After Signing Defence Co-operation Agreement A short speech by the Secretary Condoleezza Rice after signing the agreement with Bulgaria. Text at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2006/65408.htm Special Briefing on Release of Country Reports on Terrorism 2005 Briefing given Henry Crumpton, Special Co-ordinator for Counterterrorism; Russell Travers, Deputy Director for Information Sharing and Knowledge Development, National Counterterrorism Center in Washington. Full text at: http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/rm2/65482.htm Fact Sheet on Country Reports on Terrorism 2005 The report offers a strategic assessment of trends in international terrorism and the nature of the terrorist threat, as well as chapters examining terrorist safe havens, US efforts to build international will and capacity, and the nexus between weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. It also includes an annex of statistical information from the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC) that addresses the victims of terrorism. Further information at: http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2006/65422.htm Report can be found at: http://www.state.gov/s/ct/rls/crt/ UNITED STATES SENATE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN RELATIONS 5 April Islamist Extremism in Europe Hearing before the Committee on Foreign Relations during the One Hundred Ninth Cngress second session. Details at: http://foreign.senate.gov/hearings/2006/hrg060405p.html UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL TRADE COMMISSION 3 April ITC To Investigate The Competitive Conditions Affecting Medical Devices And Equipment Trade The ITC has launched a general fact-finding investigation regarding certain competitive conditions affecting U.S. trade of medical devices and equipment in principal foreign markets. Further information: http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2006/er0403dd1.htm 6 April ITC Makes Determinations in Five-Year (Sunset) Reviews Concerning Carbon and Alloy Seamless Standard, Line, and Pressure Pipe from the Czech Republic, Japan, Mexico, Romania, and South Africa The ITC announced its determinations in its five- year (sunset) reviews concerning carbon and alloy seamless standard, line, and pressure pipe from the Czech Republic, Japan, Mexico, Romania, and South Africa. Further information at: http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2006/er0406dd1.htm 10 April ITC Will Conduct Full "Sunset" Reviews Concerning Stainless Steel Butt-Weld Pipe Fittings from Italy, Malaysia, and the Philippines The ITC voted to conduct full five-year ("sunset") reviews concerning the antidumping duty orders on imports of stainless steel butt-weld pipe fittings from Italy, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Further information: http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2006/er0410dd4_000.htm 18 April ITC to Study the Economic Effects of Significant U.S. Import Restraints The ITC has launched an investigation that will lead to the fifth update of its report on the economic effects of significant U.S. import restraints. Further information at: http://www.usitc.gov/ext_relations/news_release/2006/er0418dd2.htm U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 27 April International Visitation to the U.S. Continues Growth into 2006 The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that 2.9 million international visitors travelled to the United States in January 2006, an increase of 11 percent over January 2005. Full details at: http://trade.gov/press/press_releases/2006/tourism_042706.asp OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE 6 April USTR Issues 2006 Review of Telecommunications Trade Agreements US Trade Representative Rob Portman announced the results of its 2006 annual review of the operation and effectiveness of telecommunications trade agreements, the "Section 1377 Review”. Full details at: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/April/USTR_Issues_2006_Review_of_Telecommunications_Trade_Agreements.html 21 April Statements by Ambassador Peter Allgeier, U.S. Representative to the WTO, at the meeting of the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) Statements include a number involving Europe. Full details at: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/April/Statements_by_Ambassador_Peter_Allgeier,_US_Representative_to_the_WTO,_at_the_meeting_of_the_WTO_Dispute_Settlement_Body_(DSB).html And at: http://www.ustr.gov/Document_Library/Press_Releases/2006/April/Statements_by_the_United_States_at_the_meeting_of_the_WTO_DSB.html EUROPEAN COMMISSION 1 April ITER Project on Track – Top Management Team Identified At a meeting in Tokyo, the chief ITER negotiators from the seven international parties (European Union, India, Japan, Korea, China, Russia and USA), identified the top management team that will manage this major international fusion energy research project. Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/418&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 3 April Creating a single market for EU defence industry: Commission opens consultation Creating a more open “European Defence Equipment Market” (EDEM) between Member States is the theme of a public consultation launched by the European Commission. Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/419&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 4 April Experts gather in Vienna to discuss co-existence of genetically-modified crops with conventional and organic farming European politicians, senior civil servants and leading experts from the worlds of academia, commerce and NGOs will gather in Vienna on 4, 5 and 6 April to discuss future policies on the co-existence of GM crops with conventional and organic agriculture. Information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/427&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Services Directive: Commission puts forward amended proposal The European Commission has adopted an amended proposal for a Directive on services in the EU single market. This is the next stage in the legislative process after the European Parliament's vote at first reading in February 2006. Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/442&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 5 April Co-existence of genetically modified crops with conventional and organic farming A speech by Mariann Fischer Boel, Member of the European Commission responsible for Agriculture and Rural Development at a conference on GMO co-existence in Vienna. Full text at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/223&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Co-existence of genetically modified, conventional and organic crops: Freedom of choice A speech by Stavros Dimas, Member of the European Commission, responsible for the Environment at a Conference on GMO co-existence in Vienna. Full text at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/224&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Proposal for a new comprehensive partnership between the EU and Greenland The European Commission yesterday adopted a series of texts as a proposal to develop a new comprehensive partnership with Greenland. Further information: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/457&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 6 April Launch of the renewed Central European Free Trade Agreement Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner, Remarks at the launch of CEFTA expansion negotiations, in Bucharest. Full text at http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/228&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Commissioner Louis Michel puts forward ideas on restructuring the United Nations Louis Michel, the European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid took part in the first meetings, held in New York on 4 and 5 April, of the High Level Panel appointed to put forward proposals for UN reforms in the areas of development, humanitarian assistance and the environment. Further details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/475&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 7 April State aid: Commission publishes study on national enforcement of state aid rules The European Commission has published the findings of a study reviewing the enforcement of EU state aid rules at national level. Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/477&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 11 April European Capitals of Culture 2010: Essen, Pécs and Istanbul endorsed by the selection panel Four weeks after hearing the presentations of the candidate cities, the panel set up to assess the European Capitals of Culture 2010 application packages published its report. This recommends that Essen, Pécs and Istanbul be designated as "European Capitals". Further details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/489&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 11 April Mergers: Commission clears, subject to conditions, takeovers of Guidant by Boston Scientific and of Guidant’s vascular businesses by Abbott Laboratories The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the planned acquisition by US healthcare group Boston Scientific Corporation of its competitor Guidant Corporation, a US company specialised in cardiovascular medical products, subject to conditions. In parallel, the Commission has also cleared the acquisition of Guidant’s interventional cardiology and endovascular devices businesses by Abbott Laboratories (“Abbott”), also subject to commitments. Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/491&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 12 April Commission proposes practical improvements to the way the European GMO legislative framework is implemented The European Commission gave its support to an approach proposed by Health and Consumer Protection Commissioner Markos Kyprianou and Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas on further steps to improve the scientific consistency and transparency for Decisions on Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs). Details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/498&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Mergers: Commission clears acquisition of Polyclad by Isola The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of the copper-clad glass fabric laminates business belonging to the Cookson Group plc of the UK (“Polyclad”) by Isola S.a.r.L of the US (“Isola”). Further information: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/500&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 21 April Ambition and Realism: Europe’s Approach to the Doha Round In this speech Peter Mandelson, EU Trade Commissioner, sets out his views on the way ahead in the Doha Development Round and calls for an effort from all sides to achieve agreement. Full speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/241&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 24 April Competition in the aviation sector: the European Commission’s approach A speech by Neelie Kroes, European Commissioner for Competition Policy at a Conference celebrating the twentieth Anniversary of the International Institute of Air and Space law (IIASL), at the Leiden University Leiden. Full speech at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=SPEECH/06/247&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en CEOs discuss with Verheugen ways to promote defence industry competitiveness Annual EU defence industry turnover can be estimated at about € 70 bn, with employment of about 770 000, roughly half of the US defence industry, both in turnover and employment. Most companies active in the sector are involved in both military and civil activities. 28 European companies belong to the World Defence Industry Top 100. Only 13 of them make more than 50% of their turnover in the defence sector. Further information can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/519&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Mergers: Commission approves acquisition of GE Insurance Solutions by Swiss Re The European Commission has cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed acquisition of a substantial part of the direct insurance and reinsurance businesses of the US based General Electric Company (GE IS) by Swiss Reinsurance of Switzerland. Further details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/521&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Ombudsman: Most citizens complain about lack of transparency The European Ombudsman, P.Nikiforos Diamandouros, received 3,920 complaints from EU citizens, companies, NGOs and associations in 2005. Further information: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=EO/06/8&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 25 April Council adopts new EU rules on audit of company accounts The Council adopted a directive updating, and introducing additional EU rules on the audit of company accounts, aimed at reinforcing the reliability of company financial statements by establishing minimum requirements for statutory audit of annual accounts and consolidated accounts. Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=PRES/06/115&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en#fn1 26 April Losses to airline companies as a result of 9/11: the Commission accepts part of the measures taken by Greece The European Commission authorised some €2 million of aid granted by Greece to Olympic Airways in compensation for losses resulting from the closure of airspace between 11 and 14 September 2001. Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/530&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en State aid: Commission opens in-depth inquiry into proposed subsidy to General Motors Belgium The European Commission launched an in-depth investigation to establish whether the €5.33 million grant the Flemish Region intends to give for supporting training at General Motors Belgium in Antwerp is compatible with the EC Treaty rules on state aid. Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/533&format=HTML&aged=0&language=E`N&guiLanguage=en Personnel: the Commission appoints its Deputy Director-General for Energy and Transport Mr Dominique Ristori has been appointed Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Energy and Transport, in charge of nuclear energy. Further information: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/537&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 27 April Internet: Commission seeks global partnership on Internet governance, freedom of expression, and the combat against cyber-repression The European Commission has set out its priorities for implementing the international policy commitments made at the World Summit on Information Society Summit. Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/542&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en Mergers: Commission clears proposed takeover of Maxtor by Seagate in hard-disk drive business The European Commission cleared under the EU Merger Regulation the proposed merger between two US manufacturers of hard-disk drives (HDD), Seagate and Maxtor. Further information at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/06/544&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en 28 April Transitional measures for the free movement of the workers forming the subject of the accession treaty of 2003 - Second phase 2006-2009 After the last enlargement on 1 May 2004 Member States have had the possibility to introduce transitional arrangements concerning the access to their labour markets by workers from eight New Member States (Workers from Malta and Cyprus did not fall under this exemption). Full details at: http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/06/176&format=HTML&aged=0&language=EN&guiLanguage=en E.U GOVERNMENT Austria 3 April Plassnik: “Austria’s efforts in Iraq have been successful” "The Austrian efforts for the release of Dr. Kamal Sayid Qadir have finally been successful following his four-month detention in Iraq," said Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik. Full statement: http://www.aussenministerium.at/view.php3?f_id=10759&LNG=en&version= 6 April Plassnik: "Making room for women in peace talks" Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik discusses strategies for better integration of women in peace processes with counterparts LLinka Mitreva, Elisabeth Rehn and Penda Mbow. Full text: http://www.aussenministerium.at/view.php3?f_id=10774&LNG=en&version= 11 April Winkler: "Development cooperation as a basis for future global security" State Secretary Hans Winkler at the meeting of EU Development Cooperation Ministers in Luxembourg. Full text at: http://www.aussenministerium.at/view.php3?f_id=10800&LNG=en&version= 12 April Declaration by the Presidency on behalf of the European Union on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the International Court of Justice The European Union (EU) congratulates the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on its 60th anniversary. Full text: http://www.aussenministerium.at/view.php3?f_id=10802&LNG=en&version= 27 April Plassnik: "Together for peace in the world" Foreign Minister Plassnik at an informal EU-NATO meeting in Sofia. Text at: http://www.aussenministerium.at/view.php3?f_id=10859&LNG=en&version= France 3 April French American relations A Speech given by Ambassador of France to the United States, Jean-David Levitte at the USC College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California. Full text at: http://www.info-france-usa.org/news/statmnts/2006/levitte_speech_usc040306.asp Audio version at: France/United States relations: French ambassador to the United States, Jean-David Levitte's presentation (audio) at the "Center on Public Diplomacy", University of Southern California 6 April Foreign Trade Christine Lagarde, Foreign Trade Minister, on CNBC Text at: http://www.info-france-usa.org/news/statmnts/2006/lagarde_cnbc040606.asp France: a paradise for foreign investors? Address to the CSIS by Christine LAGARDE, French Trade Minister. Text at: http://www.info-france-usa.org/news/statmnts/2006/lagarde_CSIS040706.asp 28 April ElBaradei Report A statement made by Philippe Douste-Blazy, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paris. Text at: http://www.info-france-usa.org/news/statmnts/2006/iran_elbaradei_report_blazy_statmnt042806.asp Germany 5 April Germany favours resolving nuclear dispute with Iran at the negotiating table In a statement made in Washington, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier indicated that he would favour direct talks between the United States and Iran in the ongoing dispute over uranium enrichment activities. Further details at: http://www.bundesregierung.de/en/Latest-News/Information-from-the-Governmen-,10157.984757/artikel/Germany-favors-resolving-nucle.htm 20 April Taking advantage of opportunities held out by globalisation A new government report, "The German labour market in the age of globalized markets", shows that high unemployment in Germany is not a result of globalisation. Further information: http://www.bundesregierung.de/en/Latest-News/Information-from-the-Governmen-,10157.992491/artikel/Taking-advantage-of-opportunit.htm United Kingdom 5 April Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey Mr Nicholas Baird has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Turkey in succession to Sir Peter Westmacott. Biography at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1144248617720%20&year=2006&month=2006-04-01&date=2006-04-05 6 April UK Ratifies Bulgaria and Romania's Treaty of Accession Minister for Europe, Douglas Alexander welcomed the UK's formal ratification of Bulgaria and Romania's treaty of accession. Further information: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1144248838297%20&year=2006&month=2006-04-01&date=2006-04-06 7 April Change of Her Majesty's Ambassador to the State of Israel Mr Tom Phillips CMG has been appointed to be Her Majesty's Ambassador to the State of Israel. Biography: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1144249401616%20&year=2006&month=2006-04-01&date=2006-04-07 12 April Statement on Iran Nuclear Programme The Foreign Secretary has expressed his concern over a recent statement made by the Iranian President. Mr Straw said: 'The Iranian regime must demonstrate by its words and actions that it is not seeking nuclear weapons. The latest Iranian statement further undermines international confidence in the Iranian regime and is deeply unhelpful.' Full statement at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1144250846395%20&year=2006&month=2006-04-01&date=2006-04-12 20 April Foreign Office Welcomes Public Accounts Committee Report on Consular Services The Foreign and Commonwealth Office welcomed a report by the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons on Consular services to British nationals. Full details: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1144252599321%20&year=2006&month=2006-04-01&date=2006-04-20 28 April Straw Welcomes IAEA Report on Iran's Nuclear Programme Welcoming the IAEA Director General's report on Iran's nuclear programme, on Friday 28 April, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said: 'We welcome the Director General's report. It is very serious that the Iranian regime has failed fully to co-operate with the IAEA and the United Nations Security Council. Iran should instead have moved to restore international confidence in its nuclear intentions.' Full Speech at: http://www.fco.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391629&a=KArticle&aid=1145892150962%20&year=2006&month=2006-04-01&date=2006-04-28 NGO’s WTO 7 April The US pledges $1 million to technical assistance The US Trade Representative Rob Portman announced a contribution of nearly $1 million for trade-related technical assistance (TRTA) to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Details at: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres06_e/pr438_e.htm 11 April Trade picks up in mid-2005, but 2006 picture is uncertain World trade began 2005 with sluggish growth and then regained momentum to end the year registering 6% growth in the volume of goods traded, WTO economists say. Further information at: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/pres06_e/pr437_e.htm 18 April Appellate Body issues report on EC-US anti-dumping dispute The Appellate Body issued its report regarding the case “United States — Laws, Regulations and Methodology for Calculating Dumping Margins (“Zeroing”)” (DS294), which was brought by the European Communities to the WTO. Full details at: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/294abr_e.doc Summary at: http://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds294_e.htm 21 April The DSB considers aircraft disputes brought by the US and EC At the meeting the US requested the establishment of a panel in reference to EU measures in large civil aircraft and the EC requested for the fourth time the initiation of the procedures for developing information-gathering. Further information at: http://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news06_e/dsb_21april06_e.htm