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

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