First, the protocol, as it was developed, is a protocol. It was known from the outset that it's not binding. Therefore, that was one of our struggles. If we're going to have a protocol and we all sign on to it, we should agree that it has to apply to all the partners involved. It was meant to be a guidance document, and we've heard at times that others didn't have to follow all the steps they didn't want to.
On May 27th, 2009. See this statement in context.