15 January: Explanation of negotiation techniques and provision of the instructions.  Commence negotiation by electing the Chair, and deciding the schedule.

 

(January 15, 2007)

WG on Non-Compliance: Why are you all looking down?  The enemies (and friends) are in the room, not on the paper!

Argentina proposes consensus decision-making, supported by Australia (flag up-side-down).

 

EC objects to the Argentina proposal and argues for 2/3 majority voting.  Finland, as the Presidency of the EU, supports EC (naturally?).

The Chair summarizes the discussion and requests the delegations to accept his proposal to operate the meeting under the Basel Convention RoP with his assurance that the consensus will be the fundamental rule.

 

 

 22 January: Explanation of positions by all delegations.

 

January 22, 2007

All 17 delegations are ready to negotiate!

   
Above: Nigeria demanded assistance to developing countries, while Switzerland said that the procedure should not be discriminatory.

Below: Australia would accept only self-trigger; China wanted to rename the Committee.
 


The Philippines emphasized the “Asian Culture” and demanded consensus decision-making.

India is dead serious, while EC relaxed and smiling.

 29 January: Negotiation focusing on Contentious Issues, possibility of establishing contact groups.

 

January 29, 2007

On handling of information, Norway supports the Committee being able to receive information from any sources.

   
Above: Australia and Iran are quick on raising their flags, opposing NGOs providing information to the Committee.

Below: Ethiopia wants to keep paragraph 28, while Canada wants it to be deleted.
      


As the Chair becomes more demanding, the delegations have to think and make up their minds quickly whether to support or oppose Chair’s proposals.

The delegations also have to listen to interventions of others in order to assess the flow of the negotiation.

 

 3 February (Saturday): Extensive negotiation, informal contacts, and conclusion of the negotiation.

 

February 3, 2007
 
Mr. Shuichi Takano (Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs) who participated in the “real” negotiation on PIC compliance mechanism, as a new Japanese delegate.

   
Above: Canada with his instruction and Ethiopia with the document.

Below: Iran and EC trying to convince others.
        

 
Japan questions the Secretariat mandate to trigger the mechanism, as Finland argues for such mandate based on the Convention.

Delegations during the final hours of the negotiation.


Drafting a final compromise text with “like-minded” delegations.

 

Above: Contact Group on Paragraph 12 (c).

Below: Brazil and Ethiopia: bilateral talks or fights?

 

 5 February: Evaluation of the negotiation.