Wednesday, March 17, 1999
European Union in crisis
But banana talks likely not affected
The Cincinnati Enquirer and The Associated Press
The sudden resignation of the 20-member European Commission is unlikely to affect trade negotiations between the United States and Europe over banana-import rules.
But the dramatic departure of the European Union's executive body has plunged the bloc into its deepest crisis in decades.
The commissioners, who re signed after a stinging report on fraud and sloppy management, will stay on in a caretaker capacity until their successors are appointed.
John McMillin, an analyst at Prudential Securities who follows Chiquita Brands International Inc. in Cincinnati, said Commissioner Leon Brittan, who has led the defense of the EU's 7-year-old banana policy, is expected to be reappointed.
The United States contends the policy discriminates against bananas grown in Latin America by U.S. multinationals Chiquita and Dole Food Co. in favor of fruit from former European colonies in Africa and the Caribbean. The World Trade Organization has already ruled that Europe's banana policy is illegal, and the United States is preparing to impose sanctions on imported EU goods.
Steven Warshaw, Chiquita's president and chief operating officer, declined comment.
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