FOREIGN ECONOMIC AND COMMERCIAL POLICY


tion regarding certain of- its features and to indicate such views as it
may have concerning the program. The Government of the United
States wishes to express its appreciation to the South African Govern-
ment for the courtesy of being informed of the new program well in
advance of the 5th Session.
  WASHINGTON, October 14,1950.


III. POSITION OF THE UNITED STATES REGARDING CONSULTATIONS
      ON STERLING AREA RESTRICTIONS ON DOLLAR IMPORTS
International Trade Files, Lot 57D284, Box 110
Position Paper for the United States Delegation to the Fourth Session
             of the Contracting Parties to GATT

CONFIDENTIAL                     [WASHINGTON,] February 23, 1950.
TAC D-95/50

             INTENSIFICATION OF IMPORT RESTRICTIONS

                             PROBLEM
  Position of the United States in regard to the consultation under
Article XII-4(b) on intensification of restrictions by the United
Kingdom and certain other Commonwealth countries.
                         RECOMMENDATION
  1. The United States Delegation should accept in principle thfat -the
general level of intensification of restrictions on do]llar imports by
the sterling countries (not including South Africa) ,which has taken
place pursuant to the decision taken by Commonwealth countries last
July is consistent with the GATT obligations of thesecountries. While
the Delegation may participate in discussions aslto what other alter,
natives may have been available in the circumstances, it should not
seek to press such alternatives upon these countries. (The position
to be taken with respect to South African restrictions is covered in a
separate paper.)
  However, the United States Delegation should make clear that it,
regards this consultation as being for the sole purpose of determining
whether recent measures of intensification of restrictions against dol-
lar imports ,on the part of sterling countries are consistent with GATT
obligations, without prejudice to the question whether they :are con-
sistent with any other obligati;ons which the countries involved may
have under oýther interna~tional agreements.


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