WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONWT/DS165/11
9 November 2000
(00-4800)
Original:  English
UNITED STATES – IMPORT MEASURES ON CERTAIN PRODUCTS
FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
Communication from the Appellate Body
The following communication, dated 9 November 2000, from the Chairman of the Appellate
Body addressed to the Chairman of the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with
Article 17.5 of the  Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes .
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I am writing to you pursuant to Article 17.5 of the Understanding on Rules and
Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes , which stipulates that, as a general rule, the
Appellate Body will circulate its report no later than 60 days after the appellant has formally notified
the Dispute Settlement Body of its decision to appe al.  Article 17.5 states, furthermore, that when the
Appellate Body considers that it cannot provide its report within 60 days, it shall inform the DSB in
writing of the reasons for the delay together with an  estimate of the period within which it will submit
its report.
The European Communities notified the Dispute Settlement Body of its decision to appeal
certain issues of law covered in the Panel Report and legal interpretations developed by the Panel in
this case on 12 September 2000 with the result that the 60-day period will expire on Monday,13 November 2000.  Due to the time required for completion and translation of the Report, the
Appellate Body will not be able to circulate its Report by Monday, 13 November 2000.  We estimate
that the Appellate Body Report in this appeal will be circulated to WTO Members no later than
Monday, 11 December 2000.
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