WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS155/7
23 May 2001
(01-2607)
Original:  English
ARGENTINA – MEASURES AFFECTING THE EXPORT OF BOVINE HIDES
AND THE IMPORT OF FINISHED LEATHER
Extension of Time Period under Article 21.3(c) of the DSU
The following communication, dated 17 May 2001, from the Permanent Mission of Argentina
and the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission to the Chairman of the Dispute
Settlement Body, is circulated at the request of those delegations.
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We refer you to the communication from the European Communities, dated 14 May 2001,
requesting binding arbitration under Article 21.3(c) of the Understanding on Rules Governing the
Settlement of Disputes (DSU) to determine the r easonable period of time for Argentina to implement
the recommendations and rulings of the Dispute Sett lement Body (DSB) in the matter "Argentina –
Measures Affecting the Export of Bovine Hides and the Import of Finished Leather" (WT/DS155).
The parties to the dispute, Argentina and the European Communities, are currently holding
consultations for the appointment of an arbitrator, pursuant to footnotes 12 and 13 to Article 21.3(c)
of the DSU.
With respect to the time period for the arbitration, Article 21.3(c) of the DSU requires that the
reasonable period of time for implementation be determined through binding arbitration within
90 days after the date of adoption of the recommendations and rulings of the DSB.  As this 90-day
period is about to expire, We, the parties to this dispute, have agreed to extend the period of time for
this binding arbitration, which shall be completed no later than 90 days after the date of theappointment of the arbitrator.  We have agreed that  the award of the arbitrator, made within the agreed
time period, shall be deemed to be the award of the arbitrator for the purposes of Article 21.3(c) of the
DSU in determining the reasonable period of time for Argentina to implement the recommendations
and rulings of the DSB.
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