DEMARCHE ON COTTON EVENT AT WTO HONG KONG

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001706 SIPDIS SENSITIVE USTR FOR BILL JACKSON E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD CD USTR WTO SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON COTTON EVENT AT WTO HONG KONG MINISTERIAL REF: STATE 219191 ¶1. (SBU) The Ambassador spoke with Minister of Commerce Ngarmbatina December 5 to convey points in ref on our concerns over the event on cotton planned for December 12 at the WTO Ministerial in Hong Kong. The Ambassador highlighted U.S. interest in working with Chad on a mutually beneficial outcome to the Doha negotiations on cotton. He expressed concerns that the event on December 12 not have a negative impact on the negotiations. ¶2. (SBU) Minister Ngarmbatina said she recognized the efforts by the United States on cotton. She expressed appreciation for U.S. offers of assistance and for U.S. proposals. She also said that the outcome of the talks in Hong Kong would depend on the United States and Europe, the major players on the issue. She described herself as not being pessimistic about prospects. She stressed that Chad was not the only country involved in the meeting on December ¶12. It would be a multilateral gathering with the other members of the Cotton 4, she said. ¶3. (U) We will also seek to raise the issue with Cotontchad Director General Ibrahim Malloum, who will also be traveling to Hong Kong. WALL NNNN