GATT/AIR/3706 9 NOVEMBER 1995

SUBJECT: CONTRACTING PARTIES - 51ST SESSION

1. I HAVE THE HONOUR TO INFORM YOU THAT THE FIFTY-FIRST SESSION OF THE CONTRACTING PARTIES TO THE GENERAL AGREEMENT ON TARIFFS AND TRADE (1947) WILL BEGIN ON TUESDAY, 12 DECEMBER 1995 AT 10 A.M.

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 BY THE END OF THE MORNING ON 12 DECEMBER.

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 PROCEDURE, SHOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE SECRETARIAT NOT LATER THAN 8 DECEMBER 1995.

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/7650) IS ENCLOSED.

RENATO RUGGIERO

95-3471