1.   Another issue is the embattled banana regime and a U.S. challenge to the preferential access that Caribbean producers get to lucrative European markets.

2.   But in practice, the U.S. request is likely to be challenged by the EU on the grounds there is no proof that the new banana regime is illegal.

3.   European Commission President Jacques Santer has asked U.S. President Bill Clinton not to impose trade sanctions to punish the European Union for its banana import regime.

4.   On Tuesday, the World Trade Organization ruled that the European banana regime violates WTO trade rules.

5.   The EU claims sanctions cannot be imposed until the panel has established whether the new banana regime is illegal.

6.   The EU operates a special banana trade regime with certain developing countries - grouped in the so-called African-Caribbean-Pacific bloc.

7.   The EU operates a special banana trade regime with certain developing countries, grouped in the so-called African-Caribbean-Pacific bloc.

8.   The move pushed the United States closer to punishing the Europeans for their banana import regime which Washington says is discriminatory.

9.   The panel should cover all aspects of the EU banana regime, she added.

10.   The United States on Wednesday told the European Union it would impose trade sanctions next year unless the Europeans reform their banana import regime to its satisfaction.