The Loudenia Crier

David Tarr is Consultant and Former Lead Economist with the Development Research Group at the World Bank in Washington, D.C.

[couriered via email to Gordon Mitchell]

Mr. Gordon

Regarding the draft legislation:

1. I agree it would be in the best interests of the Russian economy to achieve
greater privatization of their oil sector, but I do not believe that this issue
is retarding Russia’s accession to the WTO. I do not believe that the Working
Party is concerned with this issue.

2. Trade distorting agricultural subsidies are one of the major remaining issues
in Russia’s accession.

[Ed. Note: Dr. Tarr also wishes to enter into the record a paper of his that may be useful to Loudenians deliberating on the WTO Ascension Bill - Click here to download the full paper].