Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08ACCRA1397
2008-10-28 08:34:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Accra
Cable title:
GHANAQS 180 ON BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHAR #1397 3020834 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 280834Z OCT 08 FM AMEMBASSY ACCRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7158 INFO RHEHAAA/WHITE HOUSE WASHDC//USTR//
UNCLAS ACCRA 001397
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ETRD PGOV GH
SUBJECT: GHANAQS 180 ON BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY
REF: (A)ACCRA 01179 (B)STATE 91791
UNCLAS ACCRA 001397
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ETRD PGOV GH
SUBJECT: GHANAQS 180 ON BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY
REF: (A)ACCRA 01179 (B)STATE 91791
1. SUMMARY: (SBU) Shifting from its last formally communicated
position (REFTEL A),Ghana is now back to a serious exploration of
a Bilateral Investment Treaty with the United States. However,
internal consultations within the relevant Ghanaian ministries
will probably not be concluded in time for a negotiation with the
USTR or for the current parliament to ratify any concluded
agreement. Thus, conclusion of a U.S.-Ghana BIT will likely be
work for the next GOG administration. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) In a meeting with the visiting DOS Ghana desk officer,
officials from the Ghana Investment Promotion Corporation (GIPC)
said they were still waiting for USTRQs response to a message that
they sent about the BIT following the last formal dipnote from the
Embassy on the topic. (Note: GIPC conceded they did not provide
the Embassy with a copy of this message, nor had USTR received the
described message.) Econoff suggested that GIPC could rely on
Embassy Accra to relay all BIT related messages to Washington.
3. (SBU) The GIPC officials said that internal consultations are
still going on among the various ministries, due to the U.S. model
draft having multiple elements absent from GhanaQs other BIT
agreements. However, GIPC stated that once the internal
consultations were concluded, the GOG might be prepared to begin
negotiations.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Two of three questions posed by USTR in the
August DVC (REFTEL B) remain outstanding: the GOG assessment of
any challenging provisions of the U.S. BIT model, and any
potential non-conforming measures Ghana may propose during formal
negotiations. On timing, there is probably less than four weeks
of business left for the current Parliament. Pressure may be on
the GIPC from the Kufuor administration to conclude a BIT as a
final accomplishment. However, support of GhanaQs next Parliament
and President will be crucial for substantive implementation of
the BIT. END COMMENT. Post will continue to encourage
comprehensive internal GOG consultations, while managing time
expectations. Post will explain the parameters for further direct
discussions, and will facilitate prompt communication between the
GIPC and USTR.
Teitelbaum
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EINV ETRD PGOV GH
SUBJECT: GHANAQS 180 ON BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATY
REF: (A)ACCRA 01179 (B)STATE 91791
1. SUMMARY: (SBU) Shifting from its last formally communicated
position (REFTEL A),Ghana is now back to a serious exploration of
a Bilateral Investment Treaty with the United States. However,
internal consultations within the relevant Ghanaian ministries
will probably not be concluded in time for a negotiation with the
USTR or for the current parliament to ratify any concluded
agreement. Thus, conclusion of a U.S.-Ghana BIT will likely be
work for the next GOG administration. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) In a meeting with the visiting DOS Ghana desk officer,
officials from the Ghana Investment Promotion Corporation (GIPC)
said they were still waiting for USTRQs response to a message that
they sent about the BIT following the last formal dipnote from the
Embassy on the topic. (Note: GIPC conceded they did not provide
the Embassy with a copy of this message, nor had USTR received the
described message.) Econoff suggested that GIPC could rely on
Embassy Accra to relay all BIT related messages to Washington.
3. (SBU) The GIPC officials said that internal consultations are
still going on among the various ministries, due to the U.S. model
draft having multiple elements absent from GhanaQs other BIT
agreements. However, GIPC stated that once the internal
consultations were concluded, the GOG might be prepared to begin
negotiations.
4. (SBU) COMMENT: Two of three questions posed by USTR in the
August DVC (REFTEL B) remain outstanding: the GOG assessment of
any challenging provisions of the U.S. BIT model, and any
potential non-conforming measures Ghana may propose during formal
negotiations. On timing, there is probably less than four weeks
of business left for the current Parliament. Pressure may be on
the GIPC from the Kufuor administration to conclude a BIT as a
final accomplishment. However, support of GhanaQs next Parliament
and President will be crucial for substantive implementation of
the BIT. END COMMENT. Post will continue to encourage
comprehensive internal GOG consultations, while managing time
expectations. Post will explain the parameters for further direct
discussions, and will facilitate prompt communication between the
GIPC and USTR.
Teitelbaum