TRADE AGREEMENT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING

UNCLAS ABIDJAN 001190 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PASS TO USTR FOR BRUCE HIRSCH; COMMERCE/TCC/4110 FOR MARIA RIVERO AND MICHAEL ROLLIN; AGRICULTURE FOR USDA/ITP/FAS CHUCK BERTSCH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD SUBJECT: TRADE AGREEMENT COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING REF: SECSTATE 152063 ¶1. The Economic Section and the Foreign Commercial Section at Post jointly monitor trade agreements and respond to foreign trade barrier complaints. The Section's two Economic Officers determine responsibilities for specific cases as they emerge, working in concert with the regional FCS Officer based in Dakar. Points of contact: Economic Chief Ervin Massinga, (225) 22.49.4637, Economic Officer Erfana Dar (225) 22.49.4602, FCS Officer Cynthia Griffin Greene (221) 823.4296. The Economic Section and FCS respond accordingly as issues arise, coordinating with other Embassy Sections, the Front Office and relevant Washington Agencies. Post monitors ongoing situations closely through regular contact with the U.S. companies involved, host government ministries and other actors as appropriate. ¶2. The most noteworthy current example of a foreign trade barrier complaint and a violation of trade agreements relates to the longstanding dispute between Western Wireless International (WWI) Cora de Comstar Cote d'Ivoire subsidiary and the Ministry of Communications, along with a private Ivorian individual who continues to press spurious legal claims and to attempt siezure of Cora property. Post has advocated on behalf of WWI in order to bring the case to satisfactory resolution. ¶3. Post is pleased to report that in 2006 ExxonMobil's dispute with French fuel transport company Centaures Routiers was finally settled. Post had advocated on ExxonMobil's behalf regularly during the dispute which lasted nearly 20 years. Hooks