DEMARCHE ON SHIP RECYCLING DELIVERED TO NORWAY

UNCLAS OSLO 000468 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NB RDALLAND, OES/OA CARVIS AND JGRUBICH E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EIND PHSA SENV ETRD NO SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON SHIP RECYCLING DELIVERED TO NORWAY REF: SECSTATE 52152 (SBU) On May 3 Emboff delivered reftel points on trade implications of the current draft of the Ship Recycling Convention to Gaute Sivertsen, Assistant Director General, Ministry of Trade and Industry. Sivertsen pointed out that the convention text is in the "intermediate" stage and is expected to undergo substantial changes as it goes to higher levels for political/diplomatic approval. He was somewhat surprised that the U.S. is undertaking demarches at this stage of the negotiations, but nevertheless thought it useful to highlight issues before they become problems. Sivertsen said that Norway's Maritime Directorate, which is handling the negotiations at the technical level, is coordinating with both the Ministry of Environment and the Ministry of Trade and Industry. The ultimate authority over the process, however, lies with the Trade Ministry, which is aware of the trade implications of the draft convention. Sivertsen said the Ministry would review our points and take our concerns into account in trying to arrive at a satisfactory solution. WHITNEY