POST WELCOME STAFFDEL WILLIAMS

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000631 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR H AND EAP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OREP AMGT ASEC AFIN AS SUBJECT: POST WELCOME STAFFDEL WILLIAMS REF: STATE 65942 ¶1. (SBU) AmEmbassy Canberra, with concurrence of Consulate-General Sydney welcomes STAFFDEL Williams and delegation for travel to Sydney, Canberra, and Cairns, Australia from June 26-July 6, 2008. The purpose of the travel is to discuss US-Australia trade, climate change and aboriginal issues. Control Officers are: Mr. Casey Mace (Overall Control Officer) U.S. Consulate General Sydney Mobile from the U.S.: 011-61-4-1618-0814 Mobile within Australia: 04-1618-0814 Office: (02)9373-9108 Fax: (02)9373-9107 Maceck@state.gov Mr. Tim Davis (Canberra Control Officer and Escort to Queensland) Mobile from the U.S.: 011-61-4-1151-4693 Mobile within Australia: 04- 1151-4693 Office: 61-2-6214-5863 Fax: 61-2-6214-5816 Davistt@state.gov ¶2. (SBU) Climate change has become a dominant issue in Australian domestic politics. STAFFDEL Williams will find their interlocutors knowledge of the issue sophisticated and can expect robust dialogue on the issue. The issue of bilateral trade is also of great interest to the Government of Australia (GOA) and the private sector. (Note. Post would like to inform STAFFDEL Williams that the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is located in Sydney. End note). If the STAFFDEL would like to expand their program to include a longer stay in Sydney, rather than in Canberra, there would be a large pool of potential meetings which could be arranged on the issue of trade. ¶3. (SBU) In preparation for the visit post seeks further information on proposed discussions regarding aboriginal rights and land issues. There may be sensitivity within the Australian government to an issue that may be seen as outside the scope of the bilateral relationship. This information will also assist post in identifying appropriate government personnel and non-governmental organizations for potential meetings. It would also be useful if further information was provided regarding the scope and intent of the proposed visit to Thursday Island, particularly in relation to West Papua. ¶4. Post stands ready to assist STAFFDEL Williams in its visit to Australia. MCCALLUM