Is it the other way around today, too?"

"No, Mr Vetrov. Shall we start with the Force Majeure

Clause?"

"Suit yourself, Mr Brownie."

"The first remark concerns the following wording: "The parties are free from liabilities for non-fulfilment of their obligations under this Contract if the circumstances are beyond their control, namely:fire, flood, earthquake and other natural; calamities. "Here only the elements are listed. What about political or military events?"

Well, somehow I foresaw this question. But why should we be that pessimistic, Mr Brownie, and expect war round every corner?"

"Just in case, Mr Vetrov."

"But surely everything's within our power and if it smells of a conflict of any kind (if I can put it that way), we can contact each other in no time and decide what to do in the circumstances. We're friends, aren't we? It won't happen out of the blue."

"You may be right there, but traditionally military actions

were included.'

"Let it stay with tradition. We don't need it, do we?" "No, I'm sure we don't."

"As political matters, I'm sorry to say, but it's our general practice not to consider strikes or lock-outs as force majeurt circumstances." "Why?"

"I've never thought of that, but perhaps because these were one sided circumstances. As a rule they re alien to our system though nowadays they sometimes happen in our country, too, But I'm sure it's a temporary social phenomenon. The Contract should stipulate things that may concern both parties, don't you think so, too?"

All right, though it'll be difficult to convince me people." "Let's hope for the best that we won't have to deal with anything of the kind. But if your people insist, we could, as an exception, include them in force majeure circumstances." "Good.- My next remark or rather quiery refers to the Arbi­tration Clause. Will you insist on referring all disputes and differences to the Arbitration Court in your country or is there any chance of applying to arbitration in third countries?" "Have you got anything against arbitration in our country? For your information I must tell you that it's quite fair and much cheaper."

"I just don't know anything about it. Why can't we give an alternative and add after the words: "... at the USSR Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Moscow or to arbitration in third country, for example, France or Sweden."

V. "All right, Mr Brownie. I don't think my people will object to

that. I don't see any reasons why they could." Mr B. "Anything else?"

V. "No, that's it. Thank you. By the way, Mr Brownie, we've only got all kinds of left-overs, the Export Licence clause and some general conditions to discuss. Do you think you've got many things to argue about, Mr Brownie? Mr B. "No, just a couple of things. Why?"

V. "Perhaps we could meet this afternoon and finish off our pleasant preliminary discussion? You know, Mr Brownie, I'd like to have tomorrow, that is Saturday, to myself because I'm planning to leave the day after tomorrow."

Mr B. Oh, are you? I don't mind meeting again this afternoon, but somehow you've taken me by surprise. What happens then? I presume you expect us to go to Moscow?" V. 'Yes, are you against it?" Mr B. "Not at all. Are you free this evening?"