Written by Jan
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18 July 2010
Jonathon put away his notebook in the bottom, right desk drawer. At least the office was back in order, the paper work filed and the pencils straight in the caddy. It had been a dam, long day. The secretary buzzed. “Yes, Harold?”
“Mr. Arnold, a woman is here to see you about a joining the W.T.O. (World Trade Organization).”
Jonathon let out a sigh, so much for an early out. “What’s her name and country?”
“Arda and she is a sole Trader.”
Shaking his head Jonathon asked, “Her whole name.”
“That’s all she’ll give me, she says that’s all she has.”
This wasn’t going to be an early day at all.” Send her in.”
When Arda walked in the room, he knew it wasn’t going to be short, this Arda looked funny. She was dressed in some kind of work overalls or uniform. It wasn’t ugly, as those things go, but definitely different. She hadn’t taken much care with her face, while clean there was no makeup, her hair was impossibly short, like a crew cut.
Jonathon rose and came from around his desk. “Welcome, Miss Arda? He gestured a bit at this.
“Just Arda, it’s my only name, short as it is.” She sat down in the offered chair.
Mr. Arnold went around and sat back at his desk. With his best smile, he proceeded,” Well, what can I do for you?”
“I would like to get a permit to trade in your fair world.” She said this with much confidence and sat back in the chair, folding her hands across her lap. Always formal with the official type, they were the same everywhere. Here they wanted business clothing and strict protocol type manners. Arda tried her best. Her uniform was clean, she even cleaned under her nails.
Mr. Arnold smiled. “Well, there are a number of steps you must go through. First of all, what country …?”
Arda interrupted, “I have the formal letter, step one I presume, here.” She rose from the chair and handed him a paper.
Jonathon started to speak, but quickly got lost in the document she had just handed him. It certainly looked familiar, at least in form. He started reading and stopped.
“Miss Arda..”
“Arda please, that’s my name.”
“Arda, you need a country and a proper name, first and last.” Puzzled he looked down at the form, again.
“As I told your secretary, Mr.Jenkins” Jonathon nodded. “Where I come from we only have one name.”
“And where is that.”
“That is tricky to say. You see I have no country. I am a free trader. I believe the wording for your charter goes, quote, ‘1. Any State or separate customs territory possessing full autonomy in the conduct of its external commercial relations and of the other matters provided for in this Agreement and the Multilateral Trade Agreements may accede to this Agreement, on terms to be agreed between it and the W.T.O. Such accession shall apply to this Agreement and the Multilateral Trade Agreements annexed thereto.’ I believe I meet the criteria of a ‘Customs Territory’. I have written the letter in the proper form ‘Letter of application to accede:
I have the honour to inform you of the wish of [applicant A] to accede to the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization and to the Multilateral Trade Agreements annexed thereto, in accordance with Article XII of the said Agreement.’ I have read the agreements and rules and I would like to start the process of membership.’”
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