UNCLAS WARSAW 000633

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

EUR/NCE FOR DKOSTELANCIK AND MSESSUMS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIA SENV XG ECE UNAUS
SUBJECT: POLAND LOOKING INTO USG CONCERNS ON AARHUS
GUIDELINES

REF: STATE 53503


1. (U) Sensitive but Unclassified. Not for internet
distribution.


2. (SBU) Econoff discussed USG concerns about Aarhus
Convention guidelines on public participation in
international fora with Anna Grupinska, Director of the
Department of the United Nations System and Global Affairs of
the Polish Foreign Ministry. Ms. Grupinska is newly returned
to the MFA and was unaware of the Geneva meeting and the
discussion of the guidelines. However, she promised to look
into our questions and instruct the Polish delegation to
respond appropriately. Ms. Grupinska noted that as a
democratic country, Poland supports ngo participation in
international fora, but she was very sympathetic to U.S.
concerns about legal responsibility and finances. Post
believes that Poland is likely to be sympathetic to U.S.
concerns on this issue and work with the USG to address our
concerns.
HILLAS