GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR WINES AND SPIRITS:

UNCLAS AMMAN 003955 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EB/IPE - C. LACROSSE STATE PASS TO USTR - K.HAUDA COMMERCE PASS TO USPTO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD KIPR WTRO JO SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR WINES AND SPIRITS: JORDAN SUPPORTS "JOINT PROPOSAL" REF: STATE 81369 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. PROTECT ACCORDINGLY. (SBU) In response to reftel demarche and Post follow-up with Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) contacts, a senior trade official said June 1 that Jordan would definitely support the U.S.-sponsored "Joint Proposal" regarding geographical indications for wines and spirits. Jordan would express its support from the floor in the WTO. However, the GoJ had to respect certain "sensitivities", especially regarding alcohol in Islamic nations, and thus would not be able to join the list of co-sponsors, the official said. Econoff reviewed reftel demarche in detail with three MOIT trade officials; one trade official who recently returned from the WTO positively recalled that a U.S. representative had come up to him to express the USG's gratitude after Jordan supported the U.S. from the floor when the proposal was first tabled in March. COMMENT: Despite the good rapport, we do not see Jordan joining other co-sponsors. Support for our position - based on the practical recognition that the alternative proposal would be a burden to Jordan's limited resources - also comes with the standard reminder that the GoJ seeks greater flexibility from the USG in WTO negotiations over the Government Procurement Agreement. END COMMENT. HALE