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TWN
Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (May21/07)
WTO DG selects four deputies, denying India a slot Washington DC, 4 May (D. Ravi Kanth) - The World Trade Organization director-general Ms Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala on 4 May announced the four deputy directors-general from the US, the European Union, China, and Costa Rica, denying India a slot that New Delhi sought in the run-up to the selection process, said people familiar with the development. In her notice to the staff on 4 May, the DG claimed that: "It is the first time in the history of our Organization that half of the DDGs are women. This underscores my commitment to strengthening our Organization with talented leaders whilst at the same time achieving gender balance in senior positions. I look forward to welcoming them to the WTO." From the United States, she selected the Republican congresswoman Ms Angela Ellard. Ms Ellard has apparently worked with the US Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Katherine Tai, and her presence at the WTO could push the US narrative on WTO reforms, said a person, who asked not to be quoted. From Asia, the DG selected China's former trade envoy Ambassador Zhang Xiangchen, denying India a slot that New Delhi had sought, said a person, who asked not to be quoted. India had proposed Mr Mohan Kumar, a former trade negotiator, who had served as an ambassador to France before his retirement. As regards the candidate from Europe, the DG seems to have zeroed in on the French trade envoy to the WTO Ambassador Jean-Marie Paugam. France has recently contributed around 6 million euros (around $6.5 million) ostensibly to help developing countries deepen their trade expertise. As regards the candidate from Latin America, the DG opted for Ms Anabel Gonzalez, who was earlier a director at the WTO's agriculture division, ignoring the candidate from GRULAC (informal group of Latin American and Caribbean members at the WTO), said a person, who asked not to be quoted.
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