UNITED STATES - IMPORT PROHIBITION OF CERTAIN SHRIMP

                                                     AND SHRIMP PRODUCTS

                                                     Request to Join Consultations

                                                  Communication from Hong Kong

        The following communication, dated 23 October 1996, from the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office to the Permanent Missions of the United States, India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand and to the Dispute Settlement Body, is circulated in accordance with Article 4.11 of the DSU.

                                                            _______________

        Pursuant to the procedures laid down in Article 4.11 of the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes, Hong Kong wishes to be joined in the consultations under Article XXII:1 of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade 1994, regarding the ban imposed by the United States upon importation of shrimp and shrimp products under Section 609 of US Public Law 101-162 (codified at 16 U.S. C. S 1537 note) and the guidelines issued thereunder for "Determining [the] Comparability of Foreign Programs for the Protection of Turtles in Shrimp Trawl Fishing Operations".

        Hong Kong considers that it has a substantial trade interest in the consultations requested by India, Malaysia, Pakistan and Thailand, as circulated in WTO document WT/DS58/1 - G/L/116 dated 14 October 1996.