Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06AMMAN3955
2006-06-05 14:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Amman
Cable title:  

GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS FOR WINES AND SPIRITS:

Tags:  ECON ETRD KIPR WTRO JO 
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VZCZCXYZ0044
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHAM #3955 1561422
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 051422Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY AMMAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0903
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0528
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC PRIORITY
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