 
  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/DSB/36 
17 December 2003 
 (03-6622) 
 Original:   English 
  
 
ELECTION OF THE CHAIRMAN OF THE APPELLATE BODY 
 
Communication from the Appellate Body
 
  
 The following communication, dated 15 Decemb er 2003, to the Chairman of the Dispute 
Settlement Body, from Mr. James Bacc hus, the former Chairman of the Appellate Body, is circulated 
to Members.  
_______________ 
 
 I am writing to inform you that my term as Chairman of the Appellate Body has expired.  
Pursuant to Rule 5.1 of the  Working Procedures for Appellate Review , the Members of the Appellate 
Body have elected Mr. Georges Michel Abi-Saab to serve as Ch airman from 13 December 2003 to 
12 December 2004.  
 It has been an honour for me to serve the WTO during the last eight years, and to serve as 
Chairman of the Appellate Body in 2002 and 2003.   Let me take this opportunity to express once 
again my appreciation for the collegiality and warm hospitality that you have extended to me and my 
colleagues on the Appellate Body.  
__________ 