June 20, 2007
Morning session started late (10:50) and the Chair began with a 20 minutes lecture/monologue explaining the methodology (article by article), using the non paper as the “unofficial tool”, leaving the complex and controversial 15/2 document on the side even though that document is the only inclusive document, the one “that contains all the proposals” [except the Canadian proposal?].
The Chair decided that the best way to proceed was to have a series of informal meeting (no record of positions and statements) because it would be faster and some delegations would be free to express their opinion. The informal sessions are to be held in the plenary room with all members of all delegations.
The US agreed to go article by article but repeated that discussion on the preamble and the issues of a2k, public interest, competition and cultural diversity were fundamental. At the end the US had to be flexible as was Brazil for which these issues are also fundamental.
India did not support going into informal and wanted to be on the record. The Chair decided that India could have its positions on the record but the discussions would be informal.
So, the Chair is back.
And the NGOs were kicked out and are now hanging out in the lobby waiting for words from some friendly delegates. It is now 1pm and we know they have been talking about objectives of the treaty. Things are moving along it seems. Or moving to conclusion as the Chair likes to say?