GATT/AIR/3653 16 NOVEMBER 1994

SUBJECT: CONTRACTING PARTIES - 50TH SESSION

1. I HAVE THE HONOUR TO INFORM YOU THAT THE FIFTIETH REGULAR SESSION OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE WILL BEGIN ON THURSDAY, 8 DECEMBER 1994 IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE WTO IMPLEMENTATION CONFERENCE/SPECIAL SESSION OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES AND WILL CONTINUE ON FRIDAY 9 DECEMBER AND MONDAY 12 DECEMBER AS NECESSARY.

2. THE SESSION WILL BE HELD IN THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, GENEVA. THE CHAIRMAN HOPES THAT WITH THE COOPERATION OF DELEGATIONS, IT WILL BE POSSIBLE TO COMPLETE THE BUSINESS OF THE SESSION ON 9 DECEMBER 1994 IN THE AFTERNOON.

3. KINDLY INFORM ME AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE OF THE NAMES OF THE REPRESENTATIVES THAT YOUR GOVERNMENT OR ORGANIZATION PROPOSES TO SEND TO THE SESSION. CREDENTIALS AUTHORIZING CONTRACTING PARTIES' REPRESENTATIVES TO PERFORM THE FUNCTIONS INDICATED IN ARTICLE XXV OF THE GENERAL AGREEMENT, AS PROVIDED FOR UNDER RULE 7 OF THE RULES OF PROCEDURES, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARIAT NOT LATER THAN 2 DECEMBER 1994.

4. IN RELATION TO STATEMENTS UNDER ITEM 1, ACTIVITIES OF GATT, STATEMENTS AT SESSIONS OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES HAVE BY PRACTICE BEEN KEPT SHORT. THE CHAIRMAN HAS REQUESTED THAT DELEGATES AIM NOT TO EXCEED FIVE MINUTES.

5. A COPY OF THE PROVISIONAL AGENDA (L/7552) IS ENCLOSED.

PETER D. SUTHERLAND

94-2435