LETTER TO USTR SCHWAB FROM JORDANIAN MINISTER OF INDUSTRY

UNCLAS AMMAN 002761 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS USTR FOR SAUMS STATE ALSO FOR NEA/ELA AND EEB/TPP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD JO SUBJECT: LETTER TO USTR SCHWAB FROM JORDANIAN MINISTER OF INDUSTRY AND TRADE ON GPA ACCESSION Ref: A) MUSTAFA-BUNTIN EMAIL OF 6/25/07 B) PISANI-SAUMS EMAIL FOF 2/14/07 ¶1. Post received by fax on June 24, 2007, the following letter from Jordan's Minister of Industry and Trade addressed to USTR Schwab. The GOJ seeks U.S. support during the June 25-29 Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) negotiations, a request conveyed by Post to USTR (ref A). ¶2. Begin text: The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan Ministry of Industry & Trade Amman Ref. No. 19-2-23-22385 Date 24-6-2007 H.E. Ms. Susan C. Schwab Ambassador, United States Trade Representative Washington, DC - United States of America Excellency, Reference to the fax dated 5/6/2007 regarding the non-paper on the decision of the United States to invoke Article (XXI) of the GATS to ensure that GATS market access commitments do not cover gambling and betting services, including internet gambling, I am pleased to inform your Excellency that Jordan is not considering a request for compensation under Article (XXI) to that effect. As for the current negotiations on Jordan's accession to the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA),and following the active participation of the Jordanian delegation in the informal meeting on the accession of Jordan that took place during the period 16-20/4/2007 in the WTO, in which Jordan submitted its responses on the consolidated comments of GPA parties related to Jordan's Second Revised Offer, which carried improvements to the latest revised offer. I would like to emphasize to your Excellency Jordan's serious commitment to join this agreement and to finalize its accession negotiations with the GPA Parties as soon as possible, taking into consideration that the outcomes of such negotiations should have a positive impact on our economy as a developing country and a recently acceded member to the WTO. Jordan looks with much hope to the support of its trading partners especially those with whom we share common interests and longstanding relationships on the bilateral and multilateral levels like the United States of America, which we consider as a partner for development. Jordan has been always supporting US proposals in trade issues such as Intellectual Property and Geographical Indications, Trade Policy Reviews, and the work taking place within the Regional Trade Agreements Committee in the WIO, as well as the above mentioned GATS issue, building on our belief that such strong ties should be translated into real benefits for both of our countries. We request the US to be more flexible in the up-coming negotiations for the accession of Jordan to the GPA, which will be held during the period 25-29/6/2007 in the WTO as well as in July meetings, and withdraw any further requests on Jordan's Second Revised Offer so as to enable Jordan to move forward in its accession process to the GPA. Required flexibility would include accepting reasonable thresholds with comfortable transitional periods, in addition to the application of an offset that serves Jordan's development needs and the exclusion of some sensitive services sector procurements from the coverage of the agreement, as well as adequate treatment for SME's. It should be noted that Jordan is among the first developing countries to accede to the GPA and thus if we accede on satisfactory conditions, it will be a good example for other developing countries and will encourage them to accede to the Agreement. Excellency, Jordan seeks the support of the United States of America to facilitate Jordan's Accession to the GPA, taking into consideration that Jordan is a small developing non-industrial country and is eligible for special treatment in its accession terms, which would be vital for supporting the Jordanian economy as a whole. Thanking you again for your much valued support and continued cooperation. I avail myself of this opportunity, your Excellency, to express to you the assurances of my highest consideration. /Minister of Industry and Trade Salem Al- Khazaleh Stamp and signed on behalf of the Minister: Secretary General Dr. Montaser Oklah End text Visit Amman's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman Hale