JISM HEAD WAITING FOR GUIDANCE FOR DAMAN EXEMPTION

UNCLAS AMMAN 006172

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

4110/ITA/MAC/OAC/TCC/NWIEGLER
STATE FOR NEA/ARN
STATE PASS TO USTR - E. SAUMS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD KTIA PREL JO
SUBJECT: JISM HEAD WAITING FOR GUIDANCE FOR DAMAN EXEMPTION

REF: AMMAN 6121

SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. FOR USG USE ONLY.


1. (U) This is an action request. See last para.


2. (SBU) SUMMARY: Jordan Institute of Standards and
Metrology (JISM) head Dr. Ahmad Hindawi called on Charge July
21 to reiterate his commitment to revamp the DAMAN
pre-inspection system to be consistent with the FTA and to
request "comprehensive" assistance to improve his
organization's capacity. Charge noted a consultant would be
available in August to provide guidance for a long-term
waiver program, and asked about next steps on the proposed
interim exemption from DAMAN for U.S. goods (Ref). Hindawi
requested guidance on U.S. standards in order to implement
the interim exemption. END SUMMARY.


3. (SBU) Hindawi outlined again JISM's goal to provide a
consumer safety system and the perceived need to use
pre-shipment inspections to ensure safe products. Noting
that JISM had no intention to interfere with bilateral trade
agreements, he admitted gaps in the current system, including
his staff's lack of knowledge regarding U.S. product
standards. Noting JISM's 30 inspectors must cover 15,000
industrial sites and 100,000 shops, he said that JISM needed
comprehensive assistance. He expressed a need for more help
with U.S. standards on inspection, certification, and
accreditation of products. He noted that he had sent a
lengthy proposal for such assistance a few years ago and
promised to send the package again. The Charge said that he
would be happy to receive the proposal but could not make any
commitments.


4. (SBU) Expressing appreciation for Hindawi's commitment to
address our FTA concerns, Charge asked where the interim
exemption for U.S. products stood. Hindawi noted that he
wanted to turn a pre-shipment inspection system into a
post-shipment regime. He wanted to proceed with technical
talks, he said, as had been agreed with Commerce Assistant
Secretary Lash (Ref). Charge noted that a consultant would

SIPDIS
be provided by USAID in August, after which we could agree on
the details. In the meantime, a proposal had been put
forward to exempt on an interim basis any goods produced in
the United States from DAMAN.


5. (SBU) Hindawi said that in order to approve an interim
exemption he needed to know the U.S. standards used to
approve products for U.S. markets. "Tell us what you approve
for your own people," he concluded.


6. (SBU) Charge replied that JISM may receive a simpler
answer than Dr. Hindawi might be expecting. Nonetheless, the
USG viewed this matter as a high priority and appreciates the
GOJ's willingness to work with us on this issue. Charge also
promised to look into what might be done to provide
comprehensive technical assistance to JISM.


7. (U) ACTION REQUESTED: Pending guidance requested in
reftel, Embassy would appreciate on an urgent basis an
appropriate summary report on U.S. product standards to share
with JISM staff, so that we can move forward with an interim
exemption for U.S. products. An exemption for U.S. products
from this challenging trade barrier is in the best interests
of U.S. exporters.
HALE