INSTANT VIEW: Draft plans seek to catalyze WTO talks

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - World Trade Organization mediators on Tuesday put forward proposals that aim to break an impasse in the WTO's Doha Round of trade talks.

Following are reactions to the proposals, which press members to cut market protections in agriculture and manufacturing more than they have in recent talks:

PASCAL LAMY, DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF THE WORLD TRADE

ORGANIZATION:

"Members will not be fully satisfied with the texts. But what separates members today is smaller than what unites them. There is already an impressive package on the table. In the weeks to come it is essential that members focus efforts into overcoming those differences and reach agreement in the two sectors that hold the key to success in the Doha round."

GRETCHEN HAMEL, SPOKESWOMAN FOR U.S. TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

SUSAN SCHWAB:

"We look forward to next week's work in Geneva, when we will exchange with our trading partners initial reactions to the texts ... The United States will participate actively and constructively in the upcoming consultations and negotiations."

"It is also important to note that agriculture and NAMA (nonagricultural market access) are only two pillars of the negotiation. The United States will continue to press for an ambitious result for the third pillar, services, which is essential in order to reach a successful conclusion to the Doha Round."

EU TRADE SPOKESMAN PETER POWER and EU AGRICULTURE SPOKESMAN

MICHAEL MANN:

"The chairman's texts represent a useful step forward (and) provide a basis for further work in the Doha round, although there are points on which we have important concerns and other significant issues in the negotiations that are not included in these texts".

SPOKESMAN FOR BRAZILIAN FOREIGN MINISTER CELSO AMORIM:

"Brazil is closely studying the text and will detail its position in coming days ... Brazil will continue to work towards a positive outcome of the Doha round."

AID AND ADVOCACY GROUP OXFAM INTERNATIONAL:

"The overall cost to developing countries of opening their agricultural and industrial markets remains far too high in return for the modest reforms in agriculture in rich countries."