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PART II: GENERAL PROVISIONS
ARTICLE 4 -- GENERAL OBLIGATIONS: Two sub-paragraphs in this article were bracketed at the beginning of the session. The first one addressed the need to establish an enabling international economic environment. Developing countries had originally wanted a full list of obligations, including mitigating the impact of external debt, improving market conditions, reducing the effects of exchange rate variations, and devising pricing and trade policies. The Chair proposed new text that was more general in nature and, thus, acceptable to all Parties. It now reads, "give due attention...to the situation of affected developing countries with regard to international trade, marketing arrangements and debt, with a view to establishing an enabling international economic environment...." The other paragraph, which addresses the need for new and additional financial resources, remains bracketed. [Return to start of article]