EC to look at dam dispute

BRUSSELS (AP) - Hungary and Czechoslovakia have agreed on a three-stage formula to solve their dispute over the Gabcikovo dam on the Danube, the European Commission said yesterday. For the first time all sides in the dispute have agreed to binding international arbitration as a last resort, the commission said.

Representatives from both sides and the Commission will report on the effects of building the dam. Three experts from the Commission and one each from Hungary and Czechoslovakia will consider the findings and suggest urgent measures by 15 November. International arbitration will be sought only if the sides still disagree.

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