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