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Pascal Lamy all
set for appointment as new WTO chief
Geneva: The World Trade Organization is expected to appoint Pascal Lamy
of France as its new Director-General, as he goes unopposed into the confirmation
meeting of the 148-member body's General Council.
Carlos Perez del Castillo of Uruguay - Lamy's last remaining rival for the
post - withdrew from the race after the panel said Lamy was the candidate
most likely to win consensus approval.
Under
WTO rules, a selection panel had until May 31 to establish which candidate
had the broadest backing. "It is understood that the candidate or candidates
least likely to attract consensus shall withdraw" over those two months,
the rules say.
Lamy
now looks set to succeed Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand, who steps down
Aug. 31.
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