Japan may join EU talks on Myanmar sanctions<\/p>\n
TOKYO (AFP): Japan may join the European Union in taking the
\nUnited States to the World Trade Organization over a U.S. state's
\nsanctions law against Myanmar, a Japanese trade official said
\nyesterday.<\/p>\n
"We are considering taking part in the talks as a third
\ncountry," said the official in charge of international agreements
\nat the ministry of international trade and industry.<\/p>\n
"Our status will not be equal to that of the United States or
\nthe EU. But it may be close to that of an observer," he added.<\/p>\n
The European Union (EU) decided last month to take its
\ncomplaint about the 1996 Massachusetts law to the World Trade
\nOrganization (WTO).<\/p>\n
The law bars state-owned entities from buying goods from
\ncompanies doing business in military-ruled Myanmar. That has led
\nto the black-listing of roughly 150 foreign companies.<\/p>\n
"There is the possibility of the law violating the WTO
\nprovision on government procurement," said the Japanese official.<\/p>\n
"Depending on U.S. action hereafter on the matter, we may
\nconsider taking it to the WTO ourselves."<\/p>\n
In January, the EU formally complained about the Massachusetts
\nlaw, while Japan registered its objections more quietly.<\/p>\n
The EU claims the law violates a WTO provision committing most
\nstates to open all government contracts to international
\ncompetition.<\/p>\n
"We have been getting information on the matter from the U.S.
\nside as the federal government and the state of Massachusetts
\ncontinue consultation," he said. "It is not that the federal
\ngovernment can unilaterally force the state to scrap the law."<\/p>\n
In a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky
\nlast month, EU Trade Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan expressed
\ndispleasure at the lack of progress made in the consultation.<\/p>\n
"On this issue, it would not appear that progress has been
\nmade, and there are no indications that Massachusetts is
\nconsidering amending this law, in spite of the efforts you have
\nbeen making," he wrote.<\/p>\n
Barshefsky replied in a statement she was "surprised and very
\ndisappointed" at the European move, given the shared U.S. and
\nEuropean interest in improving the human rights situation in
\nMyanmar.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/japan-may-join-eu-talks-on-myanmar-sanctions-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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