HONDURAN VIEW ON UNCTAD IX

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 000704 SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/CEN AND WHA/EPSC:DNOLAN STATE FOR EB/TPP/MTA/MST:TNISSEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD PREL HO UNCTAD WTO SUBJECT: HONDURAN VIEW ON UNCTAD IX REF: STATE 51412 ¶1. EconOffs delivered reftel talking points to Melvin Redondo, Director of Trade Policy and Honduras' Chief Negotiator for trade agreements, on March 17. While Redondo was initially unaware of the draft UNCTAD document, he quickly appreciated its importance, and expressed agreement that a re-interpretation of the Doha mandate would not be desirable. ¶2. Redondo did not know who Honduras would be sending to the UNCTAD session. He did say that it would probably be someone from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than the Ministry of Industry and Trade, hence probably someone who is not closely acquainted with Honduras' positions on international trade and the Doha agenda. Redondo promised to examine the draft document and our proposal more closely, and look into arranging the participation of a Trade Ministry representative in the delegation. We will report back to Washington any further response. Palmer