         DECISION ON IMPROVEMENTS TO THE GATT DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
                          RULES AND PROCEDURES


The Ministers,

      Recalling the CONTRACTING PARTIES' Decision of 12 April 1989,

      Noting that the improvements to the GATT dispute settlement rules and 
procedures are being applied on a trial basis until the end of the Uruguay 
Round and that a decision on their adoption should be taken before the end 
of the Round,

      Considering that the continuation of the improved rules and procedures 
is necessary for the effectiveness of the dispute settlement mechanism,

      Decide,

      To invite the CONTRACTING PARTIES to keep the above-mentioned 
improvements in effect until the entry into force of the Understanding on 
Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes contained in Annex 
2 of the Agreement Establishing the Multilateral Trade Organization.

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