WTO CANCUN MINISTERIAL: DOMINICAN SUPPORT FOR

UNCLAS SANTO DOMINGO 004765 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON KIPR SUBJECT: WTO CANCUN MINISTERIAL: DOMINICAN SUPPORT FOR PREVENTING GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FROM DISRUPTING THE AGRICULTURE TALKS REF: SECSTATE 254589 THE GODR HAS PROVIDED ITS ASSURANCES THAT IT WILL SUPPORT THE UNITED STATES IN RESISTING EU EFFORTS TO DISCUSS GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GIs) IN AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE MEETINGS IN CANCUN SEPTEMBER 10-14. IN RESPONSE TO REFTEL TALKING POINTS, SUB SECRETARY OF INDUSTRY AND COMMERCE HUGO RIVERA CALLED DOMINICAN ALTERNATE AMBASSADOR TO THE WTO CLAUDIA HERNANDEZ TO DISCUSS THE GODR'S POSITION. HERNANDEZ AND RIVERA SAID THAT THE GODR WOULD OPPOSE DISCUSSION OF GIS IN THE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE, NOTING THAT THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AGREED WITH THE UNITED STATES' ON THIS ISSUE. HERTELL