UNITED STATES - MEASURE AFFECTING GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT

                                                     Request to Join Consultations

                                      Communication from the European Communities

        The following communication, dated 23 July 1997, from the Permanent Delegation of the European Commission to the Permanent Mission of Japan, the Permanent Mission of the United States and to the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.

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        I am writing to inform you that, pursuant to paragraph 11 of Article 4 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, the European Communities wish to be joined in the consultations under Article XXII of the Agreement on Government Procurement requested on 18 July 1997 by Japan with the United States regarding the Act Regulating State Contracts with Companies doing Business with or in Burma (Myanmar) enacted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on 25 June 1996.

        The European Communities have a substantial trade interest in the market concerned and they have already held consultations with the United States under Article XXII of the Government Procurement Agreement on 22 July 1997.