17

be available, and the possible effect of such measures on the economies of other contracting parties. No contracting party shall be required in the course of consultations under this subparagraph to indicate in advance the choice or timing of any particular measures which it may, ultimately determine to adopt. (b) The CONTRACTING PARTIES may at any time invite any contracting party which is applying import restrictions under this Article to enter into such ■consultations with them, and shall invite any contracting party substantially intensifying such restrictions to consult within thirty days. A contracting party thus invited shall participate in such discussions. The CONTRACTING PARTIES may invite any other contracting party to take part in these discussions. Not later than January 1, 1951, the CONTRACTING PARTIES shall review all restrictions existing on that day and still applied under this Article at the time of the review. (c) Any contracting party may consult with the CONTRACTING PARTIES with a view to obtaining their prior approval for restrictions which the contracting party proposes, under this Article, to maintain, intensify, or institute, or for the maintenance, intensification, or institution of restrictions under specified future conditions. As a result of such consultations, the CONTRACTING PARTIES may approve in advance the maintenance, intensification, or institution of restrictions by the contracting party in question in so far as the general extent, degree of intensity, and duration of the restrictions are concerned. To the extent to which such approval has been given, the requirements of subparagraph (a) of this paragraph shall be deemed to have been fulfilled, and the action of the contracting party applying the restrictions shall not be open to challenge under subparagraph (d) of this paragraph on the ground that such action is inconsistent with the provisons of paragraph 2 of this Article. (d) Any contracting party which considers that another contracting party is applying restrictions under this Article inconsistently with the provisions of paragraphs 2 or 3 of this Article or with those of Article XIII (subject to the provisions of Article XIV) may bring the matter for discussion to the CONTRACTING PARTIES ; and the contracting party applying the restrictions shall participate in the discussion. The CONTRACTING PARTIES, if they are satisfied that there is a prima facie case that the trade of the contracting party initiating the procedure is adversely affected, shall submit their views to the parties with the aim of achieving a settlement of the matter in question which is satisfactory to the parties and to the CONTRACTING PARTIES. If no such settlement is reached and if the CONTRACTING PARTIES determine that the restrictions are being applied inconsistently with the provisions of paragraphs 2 or 3 of this Article or with those of Article XIII (subject to the provisions of Article XIV), they shall recommend the withdrawal or modification of the restrictions. If the restrictions are not withdrawn or modified in accordance with the recommendation of the CONTRACTING PARTIES within sixty days, they may release any contracting party from specified obligations under this Agreement towards the contracting party applying the restrictions.