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press releases
WTO news
Mike Moore's speeches
Renato Ruggiero's speeches,
1995-99
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Mr.
Ruggiero left his office in the WTO at 5:00 pm on Tuesday in accordance with the terms of
his contract which mandated a single four year term and that his successor be from a
non-European country. Any delay in his departure, Mr. Ruggiero said, would be unhelpful to
the process of appointing a new Director-General.He expressed disappointment
that his successor has not yet been selected and urged members to engage constructively as
they seek to appoint the man who will lead the organization at its 3rd
Ministerial Conference in Seattle, USA this December and into the complex trade
negotiations that will ensue shortly after that meeting.
"This
organization needs now a Director-General who is fully empowered to help the preparation
for the Ministerial Conference and the subsequent negotiations. I emphasize that the
strength of this organization is largely based on our reaching decisions by consensus and
it appears to me that there is no reason why a consensus could not be reached on this
issue," Mr. Ruggiero said.
On Friday,
Mr. Ruggiero selected WTO Services Director David Hartridge to handle the day to day
affairs of the Secretariat until the new Director-General assumes office. |
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