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to the substantial reduction of tariffs and other barriers to trade and to the elimination of preferences on a mutually advantageous basis, the governments represented on the Preparatory Committee adopted a resolution at the First Session regarding the carrying-out of such negotiations under its sponsorship in connection with, and as a part of, the Second Session. The governments represented at the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee are, at the time of the issuance of this report, in the final stages of the negotiations foreseen in the above-mentioned resolution. It is expected that the concessions resulting from these negotiations, together with such other provisions as may be appropriate, will shortly be incorporated in a General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. 1 3. PARTICIPANTS IN THE WORK OF THE PREPARATORY COMMITTEE All members of the Preparatory Committee 2 , with the exception of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, took part in the work of the First and Second Sessions and of the Drafting Committee. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics indicated that it did not feel able to participate in the work of the Preparatory Committee as it had not found it possible to devote sufficient preliminary study to the important questions which were the subject of the Committee's discussion. Two specialized agencies 3 and two other inter-governmental organizations 4 were actively associated with all the proceedings and many members of the United Nations non-members of the Preparatory Committee 5 and some non-governmental organizations in Category "A " 6 sent observers who from time to time gave the Committee the benefit of their views.

1 In view of the existence of a Customs Union between Syria and Lebanon, a Syrian delegation has taken part in the tariff negotiations and has been regarded as a contracting party in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade. 2 The members are : Australia, Belgium-Luxemburg Economic Union, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Cuba, Czechoslovakia, France, India, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Union of South Africa, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, United Kingdom, United States of America. 3 The Food and Agriculture Organization and the International Labour Organization. 4 The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the International Monetary Fund 5 Colombia, Denmark, Mexico, Peru, Poland and Syria sent observers to the First Session ; Colombia and Mexico to the Drafting Committee, and the following countries to the Second Session, in addition to those represented at the First Session : Afghanistan, Argentina, Ecuador, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Saudi-Arabia, Siam, Sweden, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela, Yugoslavia. 8 The organizations were: American Federation of Labour, International Chamber of Commerce, International Co-operative Alliance, World Federation of Trade Unions. The International Federation of Agricultural Producers also submitted its views on certain points to the Second Session of the Preparatory Committee. The International Federation of Christian Trade Unions and the Interparliamentary Union were also invited to be represented.