Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05MASERU531
2005-10-19 14:54:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Maseru
Cable title:  

DEMARCHES ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GI'S) AND U.S. WTO

Tags:  EAGR ETRD ECON KIPR LT WTRO 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS MASERU 000531 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON KIPR LT WTRO
SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GI'S) AND U.S. WTO
PROPOSAL ON AGRICULTURE

REF: A) STATE 190748 B) STATE 180474

UNCLAS MASERU 000531

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD ECON KIPR LT WTRO
SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS (GI'S) AND U.S. WTO
PROPOSAL ON AGRICULTURE

REF: A) STATE 190748 B) STATE 180474


1. On October 19, DCM met separately with David Rantekoa,
Principal Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry, and Mohale
Sekoto, Deputy Principal Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and
Food Security (the highest level ministry official available) to
present and discuss the talking points in refs. Also attending
the second meeting was Khang Cekwane, Director of Marketing,
Ministry of Trade and Industry. In addition, the Ambassador
raised these issues with Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs
Ponts'o Sekatle on October 18.


2. GI'S: Rantekoa was receptive to the USG position regarding
GI's, noting, in particular, the considerable administrative
burdens that could result from EU-proposed special treatment of
such names. A final GOL position, however, would have to await
the results of an in-house Ministry review (in progress) and
consultations with the Attorney General's Office, which covers
intellectual property issues. The PS added that the EU (which
has a mission in Maseru) had not approached him on this matter.
Sekoto voiced general support for USG views, stressing that
discussion of GI's should remain exclusively in the TRIPS
Council.


3. U.S. WTO AGRICULTURE PROPOSAL: Rantekoa and Sekoto (and
Cekwane) expressed appreciation for the USG initiative to spur
progress in the Doha Round; the proposal on agriculture was very
"positive" (Sekoto). All also agreed that agriculture is the key
to success in Doha. Rantekoa noted that the GOL views
agricultural issues as important for Lesotho in the long-term;
as a Least Developed Country, Lesotho is currently not affected
by many of the subsidies and other trade-distorting measures.
As the country develops economically, such matters would have
increasing impact. The PS said the EU should respond
constructively to the USG proposal; he promised to discuss this
with Minister Malie. Sekoto noted that the U.S. and EU must
come to an agreement in order for there to be any progress on
agriculture. LDC's, however, should be allowed to keep their
special status or benefits in whatever final agreement is
reached. The DPS and Cekwane noted that their respective
ministries would be studying the U.S. proposal intensively to
come up with a government position.


4. Both WTO issues were raised during the Ambassador's meeting
with Acting MFA Sekatle. Sekatle agreed that developing
countries would benefit from the U.S. proposal in agriculture.
As Minister of Local Government, Sekatle is especially aware
that potential agricultural exports from LDC's suffer from
barriers such as those desired by the EU.



PERRY