The World Trade Organization (WTO) Tuesday gave the go-ahead to Libya to begin talks on admission to the 147-member body and take another step toward ending decades of its international isolation. But while the United States backed Libya's application, Washington maintained its bloc on allowing Iran to open negotiations and so become an observer at the Geneva-based WTO. "They have agreed to set up a working party," said one trade official emerging from a session of the body's executive General Council where the decision on Libya was approved by consensus when no delegation objected. The creation of a working party is the first step on the road to entry for any country seeking membership in the WTO, which sets and administers the rules for global trade and acts as a forum for trade negotiations. But when the Iranian application came up, officials said, a U.S. delegate declared his country needed more time to study the issue -- a stance it has stoutly maintained since the Tehran request first came before the Council in 2001.
Approval for starting talks does not mean that oil-rich Libya, engaged since last year in a drive to re-enter the global mainstream, can expect an easy passage in the negotiations ahead, trade diplomats say.The talks, which could last for years, will involve bilateral negotiations with any WTO country that feels Libyan exports could be a threat to its own markets or wants to ensure good terms for selling goods to Libya.
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