on imports may be granted for non-discriminatory measures proposed for the promotion of economic development (Art. 13, 14).

Each of these possible escapes is circumscribed by limiting criteria, accompanied by additional commitments, and subject to detailed procedures and administrative controls. The last two of them require the prior approval of the ITO.

I. A country member of ITO that is in balance-ofpayments difficulty may use import quotas, but only during the period and to the extent that this is necessary "to forestall the imminent threat of. or to stop, a serious decline in its monetary reserves", or "to achieve a reasonable rate of increase in its reserves" (Art. 21). The ITO must base its decision as to whether a country falls within this exception on a determination made by the International Monetary Fund (Art. 24).

A country making use of this exception commits itself

(1)

(2)

(3)

to "pay due regard to the need for restoring
equilibrium in its balance of payments on a
sound and lasting basis";

"to the desirability of assuring an economic
employment of productive resources";

"to admit any description of merchandise in
minimum commercial quantities";

(4) "to avoid unnecessary damage to the commercial
or economic interests of any other member"; and
(5) progressively to relax and ultimately to elimi-
nate its restrictions as its financial condition
improves.

It may consult with the ITO on its own initiative and must do so on request before increasing old restrictions or applying new ones.

A member may ask the ITO to approve old or new restrictions and the ITO, if it does so, may limit their extent, intensity, and duration, In other cases, any member may complain that the foregoing rules have been violated, and the ITO may release it from concessions or obligations toward the violator.