Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06PORTMORESBY299
2006-07-28 06:03:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Port Moresby
Cable title:
PNG WILL GENERALLY SUPPORT US APEC PRIORITIES
how-toVZCZCXRO3540 PP RUEHCHI RUEHFK RUEHHM RUEHKSO DE RUEHPB #0299 2090603 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P R 280603Z JUL 06 FM AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4540 INFO RUEHZU/ASIAN PACIFIC ECONOMIC COOPERATION COLLECTIVE RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 1946
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT MORESBY 000299
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/EP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/28/2016
TAGS: ECON APECO
SUBJECT: PNG WILL GENERALLY SUPPORT US APEC PRIORITIES
REF: STATE 121653
CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Fitts, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Port
Moresby, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)
C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT MORESBY 000299
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/EP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/28/2016
TAGS: ECON APECO
SUBJECT: PNG WILL GENERALLY SUPPORT US APEC PRIORITIES
REF: STATE 121653
CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Fitts, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Port
Moresby, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)
1. (C) In a July 28 discussion of the points in reftel, PNG
Senior Official Viali Vagi indicated general support of each
U.S. priority without going into any detail beyond what we were
able to provide. In particular, he agreed with extending the
CTTF mandate. And said it would make sense to have another
high-level chairperson.
2. (C) Vagi also noted his ongoing discussions with US APEC
Senior Official Michalak on US support for an Intellectual
Property conference in PNG. He hoped to touch base again on
this during the early August preparatory meetings in Brisbane.
3. (C) COMMENT: Since Prime Minister Somare has assumed the
Foreign portfolio (but pays little attention to the detail)
Vagi, who works directly for Somare, is in the best position to
reflect current thinking on APEC issues. That said, he clearly
had not given deep thought to the concerns we raised, but was
instead indicating that PNG would continue its generally helpful
stance vis a vis the US. On the CTTF issue, that might depend
on whether Beijing directly approached Somare with a contrary
message. In any event, we would not expect PNG to offer more
active than quiet support.
4. (C) Concerning the IPR conference, the Somare government has
been actively looking for conferences in the year leading up to
next spring's elections as a sign of international stature. It
also has been genuinely concerned with the counterfeit product
side of IPR, notably bogus soaps and toothpastes. Lining up US
support would be a feather in Viali's cap and thus offers
possible leverage for US priorities. Note: Beijing understands
this game. It has effectively played to Somare's sweet tooth
for conferences by offering to build a new international
conference center, hardly a real development priority given the
deterioration of government schools and hospitals.
FITTS
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
FOR EAP/EP
E.O. 12958: DECL: 7/28/2016
TAGS: ECON APECO
SUBJECT: PNG WILL GENERALLY SUPPORT US APEC PRIORITIES
REF: STATE 121653
CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Fitts, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Port
Moresby, Department of State.
REASON: 1.4 (b)
1. (C) In a July 28 discussion of the points in reftel, PNG
Senior Official Viali Vagi indicated general support of each
U.S. priority without going into any detail beyond what we were
able to provide. In particular, he agreed with extending the
CTTF mandate. And said it would make sense to have another
high-level chairperson.
2. (C) Vagi also noted his ongoing discussions with US APEC
Senior Official Michalak on US support for an Intellectual
Property conference in PNG. He hoped to touch base again on
this during the early August preparatory meetings in Brisbane.
3. (C) COMMENT: Since Prime Minister Somare has assumed the
Foreign portfolio (but pays little attention to the detail)
Vagi, who works directly for Somare, is in the best position to
reflect current thinking on APEC issues. That said, he clearly
had not given deep thought to the concerns we raised, but was
instead indicating that PNG would continue its generally helpful
stance vis a vis the US. On the CTTF issue, that might depend
on whether Beijing directly approached Somare with a contrary
message. In any event, we would not expect PNG to offer more
active than quiet support.
4. (C) Concerning the IPR conference, the Somare government has
been actively looking for conferences in the year leading up to
next spring's elections as a sign of international stature. It
also has been genuinely concerned with the counterfeit product
side of IPR, notably bogus soaps and toothpastes. Lining up US
support would be a feather in Viali's cap and thus offers
possible leverage for US priorities. Note: Beijing understands
this game. It has effectively played to Somare's sweet tooth
for conferences by offering to build a new international
conference center, hardly a real development priority given the
deterioration of government schools and hospitals.
FITTS