[Ip-health] Dong-A Ilbo: FTA Talks Stall on Lack of Compromise

[Mike Palmedo]

http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?bicode=3D020000&biid=3D2006071556=
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FTA Talks Stall on Lack of Compromise

JULY 15, 2006 06:22
by Keuk-In Bae Suk-Min Hong
Dong-A Ilbo

As all section meetings were cancelled on July 14, the last day of the
second round of Korea-US FTA, the negotiation has been crippled.

However, the Korean government explained, =93Both sides have just waged
psychological warfare to gain the upper ground; therefore we can=92t say
the FTA negotiation itself failed.=94

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade revealed on that day, =93After
the U.S. suspended a meeting on medicine and medical equipment, it
didn=92t participate in meetings on trade regulation and service sectors
scheduled to be held on July 13 and 14. Accordingly, Korea also notified
the U.S. that the last day meetings on merchandise and environment
sectors will be called off.=94

The U.S. didn=92t take part in some section meetings, expressing
complaints regarding plans on making medicine prices reasonable, saying
that if the plan takes effect, high-priced innovative new medicines, a
U.S main export, will be discriminated against.

Chief U.S. negotiator Wendy Cutler asserted at a meeting with
journalists, =93Any type of reform should be transparent and fair. The
negotiation suspension which reflected our concerts is a proper measure
and we had no other alternative.=94

However, she added, =93Overcoming differences is not impossible. I have a
will to find ways to reduce the differences as a negotiator.=94

The two countries, which finished their schedules beginning July 10 for
five days, will hold the third round of negotiations in the U.S.
starting September 4 through September 8.

Seattle is a highly probable place to hold the negotiation. But it is
known that Washington D.C., where the first round was held, is being
reviewed as an alternative as some point out that it may be difficult to
control anti-FTA expedition protestors effectively in Seattle.