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Despite Obstacles, Programme Of Action Will Be Ready

The two Working Groups entrusted with the task of finalising the LDC Programme of Action have made very slow progress.

The contentious issues still remaining on the negotiating table: debt relief and debt cancellations; duty-free and quota-free market access for LDC products entering all industrial nations, besides the European Union; abolition of tied aid; and a possible new definition of "development partners".

"It is difficult to assess progress," Conference spokesperson Habib Ouane said yesterday. "The stumbling blocks still remain."

Most delegates are confident that the pace of negotiations will pick up within the next 24 hours since the Programme of Action has to be finalised by Saturday.

"Having participated in conferences over the last 20 years, I know that it is customary for delegations to show less flexibility in the initial stages. This is part of the negotiating process," Ouane said.

The stumbling blocks, he said, are difficult, but not insurmountable. Ouane was confident that the final Programme of Action will be ready for adoption by Sunday morning.