We came here with the objective of making significant progress so we could be in the position of concluding this agreement by the spring. We have made much progress in many chapters, but still have much work ahead.

There were a lot of public concerns expressed about what might be in the data protection text, but the government itself was a lot calmer about the proposal than the public reaction. They looked at the text and realized they needed to review it carefully, before they came back to us with what comments they may have.

The criticism they've made and the charges that they've level are exaggerated. There have been critics here who have been talking about how this text is going to raise pharmaceutical prices by 25 percent or more...and I think there is no evidence of that. They are talking about the lack of availability of AIDS drugs to HIV/AIDS patients in Thailand, and again there is no evidence of that.

There was progress in some areas, less than we had hoped for in other areas. Our position is that if both sides decided they wanted to re-double their efforts they could conclude the agreement in the time that we have left, but we have to evaluate whether or not we think the will is there on both sides.

If both sides decided they wanted to redouble their efforts, they could conclude in the time we have left. We have to determine if both sides have the will.

Every American autobiography, someone once said, is about one thing—escape. Look into the frightened heart of an American life, and you’ll find a compulsion to flee—a seed planted in the national character at the start by those ships sailing out of Europe and landing on our shores.
— Teller: A Novel