STAFFDEL DISCUSSES LUGAR-SOLHEIM INITIATIVE, HEARS

UNCLAS OSLO 000254 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE RAY DALLAND, EUR/NB, CHRISTOPHER WEBSTER, EB/IFD/ODF, STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL EAID ENRG ECON KIPR NO SUBJECT: STAFFDEL DISCUSSES LUGAR-SOLHEIM INITIATIVE, HEARS PHARMA CONCERNS REF: OSLO 200 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (U) Summary: On March 7-9, Mark Helmke, Senior Professional Staffer for the Senate Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC),and long-time aide to former SFRC Chair Senator Richard Lugar, met with several high-ranking Norwegian government officials, including International Development Minister Erik Solheim. Discussions involved a proposed Lugar-Solheim Development Initiative on Energy Resources and Anti-Corruption, which is scheduled to be unveiled during Solheim's forthcoming visit to Washington on March 20-21. During related meetings, Norwegians stressed the importance of anti-corruption initiatives, while welcoming U.S. cooperation on transparency efforts, particularly in the energy sectors. Helmke was briefed by Ministry of Petroleum officials on High North energy, carbon sequestration, and other energy issues. He also met with Eli Lilly's Norwegian operations head about the threat that Norway's weak pharmaceutical patent system poses to the firm's business. Finally, Helmke (a former press adviser) joined a large reception for reporters and commentators hosted by the CDA and discussed (mis)perceptions of U.S. policy in Europe. Senator Lugar is highly regarded in Norway, especially due to the Nunn-Lugar program. End Summary. The Initiative's Background -------------- ¶2. (SBU) According to Jorn Silijeholm, a special adviser at the MFA, the "Solheim Lugar Initiative" proposal arose out of the desire by Minister Solheim and Senator Lugar to reinforce existing international agreements and initiatives concerning energy and anti-corruption, such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC). Silijeholm indicated that Senator Lugar and Minister Solheim sought to back a politically neutral initiative that links existing programs and ideas to desired policy outcomes, such as transparency building and environmental protection. He noted that Helmke's visit provided an opportunity to brief on Norwegian "success stories," such as the Oil for Development Program (a capacity-building initiative involving the Finance, Petroleum and Environment Ministries that provides assistance to approximately 20 countries). Initiatives to be Launched by Press Release in Late March -------------- -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Helmke met with several officials from various Norwegian Ministries, including Development, Finance and Foreign Affairs, and Petroleum, and with Merethe Nergaard, the Economic Counselor at the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, in an effort to hammer out a draft Initiative statement. Helmke told the CDA that Senator Lugar preferred a broader initiative including energy security as well as anti-corruption, and worked on Minister Solheim's staff to iron out the different emphases. (Note: this recognizes divergent emphases and will stress that this is just the beginning of a broader cooperation. End Note.) Issues discussed included Norwegian interagency cooperation, tax practices, and the Initiative's focus areas. The Initiative was termed a "political statement by two politicians," a point of common ground joining divergent political ideologies. In the end, the parties agreed to launch the Initiative through a joint press release during Minister Solheim's visit to Washington, rather than produce a lengthy statement of principles. The parties emphasized that the press statement, and other aspects of the Initiative, would need to be vetted through the Norwegian inter-agency process before finalization. Helmke indicated he would continue to consult State and USAID as well. Solheim Focuses on Bilateral Anti-Corruption Cooperation -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) On March 9, Helmke, the Charge and Norwegian officials joined Development Minister Solheim for a working lunch to discuss the Initiative and related areas of possible U.S.- Norwegian cooperation. Helmke emphasized that Senator Lugar sought to highlight the importance of energy issues. Solheim emphasized that "energy" covers a wide field of interrelated issues, including anti-corruption, the environment and international development assistance. Citing the timeliness of energy discussions, he noted the challenges presented by emerging powers like India and China and their consumption of vast amounts of energy resources. ¶5. (SBU) Solheim stressed the need to address global environmental and development concerns. The parties agreed that sharing best practices is an ideal way to meet global assistance challenges. The CDA stressed the shared values of Norway and the U.S., particularly within the context of fighting corruption, and the contribution that Senator Lugar, whose public image in Norway is very favorable, could make. The CDA also invited a broader discussion of the ways the United States executive branch and Norway could work together on anti-corruption matters. ¶6. (SBU) Solheim reiterated that tackling anti-corruption was essential. He pointed out that Nigeria and Angola would, for example, not need any foreign assistance had both countries properly invested their energy revenues. He argued that oil and gas proceeds often end up in international tax havens. He noted that the gray money leaving Nigeria alone equaled the entire amount of aid provided to Africa. Discussions on Energy, High North -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Helmke also met with high-ranking members of the Ministry of Petroleum and the MFA's High North section. The Petroleum officials discussed the GON's commitment to providing energy sector assistance to developing countries, Norway's future role as a supplier of liquefied natural gas to the United States, European energy security, alternative energy, CO2 sequestration projects, and the forthcoming merger between the state-controlled Norwegian oil companies Statoil and Norsk Hydro. Helmke and Petroleum Ministry officials agreed to try and set up a meeting with Senator Lugar for Petroleum and Energy Minister Enoksen when he visits Washington on March 28. The MFA meetings focused on energy security, High North energy issues and Norwegian-Russian relations in the High North, including the risks to the environment from increased Russian oil activity in the region. Pharmaceutical Firm Raises Concerns about Weak Patents -------------- -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Helmke also met with the Managing Director of Eli Lilly's Norwegian operations about the impact of Norway's weak pharmaceutical patents on foreign pharmaceutical firms. Helmke noted that Senator Lugar's staff had raised the issue with officials accompanying Foreign Minister Stoere to Washington last week at the behest of several U.S. pharmaceutical firms. Senator Lugar wrote a follow-up letter to the Foreign Minister to request assistance in resolving the problem, a copy of which Helmke later provided to Lilly and the Embassy. (Note: the Embassy has been working with U.S. pharmaceutical firms for two years to persuade the GON to strengthen patent protections. End note.) Lilly's Managing Director stated that over half the firm's local revenues are at risk from possible entry of copycat generic drug manufacturers into the local market. Those revenues are derived from older drugs that enjoy only "process patent," versus stronger "product patent," protection in Norway. Lilly's Manager explained that Norway adopted a stronger "product patent" system in 1992, but for drugs covered by the older regime patent protection is afforded only for their manufacturing process. Norway could remedy the problem by a relatively simple regulatory fix. Lilly's Manager cautioned that should the firm lose one or two patent lawsuits to generic competitors, it would be compelled to drastically downsize its Norwegian operations. Helmke pledged to follow up with colleagues in Senator Lugar's office who were following the issue. ¶9. (U) Helmke (a former press adviser) ended his visit at a large, previously scheduled reception hosted by the CDA for reporters, commentators, and editors. Helmke was able to explain the Lugar-Solheim Initiative, other Senator Lugar priorities, and comment on current events with important media figures. He offered an experienced, non-administration view of some common misperceptions about U.S. policy on issues such as development and climate change. Given Senator Lugar's popularity in Norway, especially due to the Nunn-Lugar program, Helmke's ideas were well received. This was an excellent Public Diplomacy opportunity. Comment: Anti-Corruption a Fertile Field for Bilateral Engagement -------------- -------------- ¶10. (SBU) Comment. The CDA stressed to Helmke that Senator Lugar's support for an energy/anti-corruption initiative with Minister Solheim could pay dividends for the bilateral relationship. Fighting corruption is clearly a source of common ground. Cooperation on anti-corruption initiatives and programs would provide another welcome area for positive engagement in a relationship that is sometimes overshadowed by public differences on Iraq, Guantanamo, climate change, and other contentious issues. Norwegians across the political spectrum hold Senator Lugar in high esteem (once considered a close runner-up for a Nobel Peace Prize). That a leading Socialist Left figure like Minister Solheim, whose political ideology differs markedly from that of the Senator, would propose such a joint initiative is testament to the Senator's solid reputation in Norway. Department may wish to explore areas where State and Senator Lugar agree in order to combine efforts at collaboration with Norway. ¶11. (U) Mr. Helmke has not cleared on this cable. WHITNEY