U.S. Close To Deal With Russia On WTO

(RFE/RL) October 30, 2006 -- U.S. trade officials say the United States and Russia are getting close to a deal that will open the way for Moscow to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Sean Spicer, a spokesman for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, today said all remaining issues in a U.S.-Russian bilateral trade deal are nearly resolved.

A bilateral deal would be a key step toward Russia's long-sought entry into the world trade body.

Meanwhile, 13 major international companies, including Boeing, Ford, and Shell, are reportedly urging Russia's quick entry into the WTO.

The Russian daily "Komersant" says the companies have written a joint letter to U.S. President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin to press for a quick and successful conclusion to entry talks.

Russia, France Pass U.S. In Arms Sales

Meanwhile, according to a new study, the United States last year ceded to Russia and France its position as the leader in weapons sales to the developing world.

The annual report by the Congressional Research Service shows Russia sold $7 billion worth of arms to Asia, Africa, and Latin America in 2005, an increase from $5.4 billion from the year before.

France ranked second, with $6.3 billion, and the United States was third, with $6.2 billion.

Russia's rise was fueled by its booming trade with India and China, which included air-defense systems, antiship missiles, and military transport aircraft.

France's success was attributed to an agreement with India for the sale of diesel attack submarines, while the United States' fall was explained by a scarcity of new expensive contracts.

Those deals were part of the a global arms market in the developing world that grew to $30.2 billion in 2005.

(AFP, nytimes.com, Reuters)