HONDURAS SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON GEOGRAPHICAL

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002060

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EB/TPP/ABT/ATP (JSHANNON),EB/TPP/IPE (SWILSON)
USDA FOR JHURST (FAS/ITP/MTND)
STATE PASS USPTO FOR DLASHLEY-JOHNSON
STATE PASS USTR FOR DMULLANEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD KIPR WTO
SUBJECT: HONDURAS SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON GEOGRAPHICAL
INDICATIONS IN WTO

REF: (A) STATE 165908

(B) STATE 177074
(C) STATE 180474


1. As instructed in reftels, Post delivered the talking
points associated with the U.S. position on the Geographical
Indications (GIs) debate in the WTO to Minister of Industry
and Commerce Irving Guerrero and Chief Commercial Negotiator
Melvin Redondo.


2. Redondo agreed that the discussion of GIs should remain
in the TRIPS Council and not be further discussed in the
agriculture negotiations. While indicating his strong
support he deferred specific confirmation until he
communicated with his team in Geneva. Honduras has
historically sided with the U.S. on GIs, and was a co-
sponsor of the "Joint Proposal" for the multinational
notification and registration system that the U.S. submitted
to the WTO TRIPS Council in 2002.


3. Post will advise if his response is different then
indicated.

Williard