Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07BANGKOK3093
2007-06-05 09:45:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Bangkok
Cable title:
THAIS PREFER PROJECT APPROACH ON ENVIRO GOODS
how-toVZCZCXYZ0002 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBK #3093 1560945 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 050945Z JUN 07 FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7385 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1833 RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS BANGKOK 003093
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR FOR JPRESCOTT
GENEVA FOR RSHUB
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD WTO SENV TH
SUBJECT: THAIS PREFER PROJECT APPROACH ON ENVIRO GOODS
REF: STATE 72741
UNCLAS BANGKOK 003093
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR FOR JPRESCOTT
GENEVA FOR RSHUB
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD WTO SENV TH
SUBJECT: THAIS PREFER PROJECT APPROACH ON ENVIRO GOODS
REF: STATE 72741
1. On June 5, Econoff spoke with Mr. Thitisesh Seshtabutra, Senior
Trade Officer at the Department of Trade Negotiations and relayed
talking points as requested in reftel. Thitiseth said the RTG
position was not yet final, but that his office has recommended to
their Director General that Thailand support a project approach
rather than a list approach to reducing tariffs on environmental
goods. Under a project approach the RTG would drop tariffs on
environmental goods only in conjunction with an application for an
environmental project that could verify the goods would be used for
environmental protection. Thitisesh said his department had
concerns that many items on the latest proposed list had no obvious
environmental relevance, and that most were multi-use and could be
used for projects other than environmental ones. However, he
conceded that if the consensus in the WTO leans toward a list
approach Thailand may be forced to alter its position.
Nevertheless, the RTG would still raise questions on inclusion of
many items on the proposed list.
BOYCE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR FOR JPRESCOTT
GENEVA FOR RSHUB
E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD WTO SENV TH
SUBJECT: THAIS PREFER PROJECT APPROACH ON ENVIRO GOODS
REF: STATE 72741
1. On June 5, Econoff spoke with Mr. Thitisesh Seshtabutra, Senior
Trade Officer at the Department of Trade Negotiations and relayed
talking points as requested in reftel. Thitiseth said the RTG
position was not yet final, but that his office has recommended to
their Director General that Thailand support a project approach
rather than a list approach to reducing tariffs on environmental
goods. Under a project approach the RTG would drop tariffs on
environmental goods only in conjunction with an application for an
environmental project that could verify the goods would be used for
environmental protection. Thitisesh said his department had
concerns that many items on the latest proposed list had no obvious
environmental relevance, and that most were multi-use and could be
used for projects other than environmental ones. However, he
conceded that if the consensus in the WTO leans toward a list
approach Thailand may be forced to alter its position.
Nevertheless, the RTG would still raise questions on inclusion of
many items on the proposed list.
BOYCE