Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OSLO346
2008-06-23 10:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:  

NORWAY FAVORS BINDING FRAMEWORK ON MERCURY ISSUE.

Tags:  SENV ETRD EAGR NO 
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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHNY #0346 1751058
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231058Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY OSLO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6865
INFO RUEHCP/AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN 2433
SENSITIVE
UNCLAS OSLO 000346 

COPENHAGEN PASS TO EST OFFICE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD EAGR NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY FAVORS BINDING FRAMEWORK ON MERCURY ISSUE.

REF: STATE 63943

UNCLAS OSLO 000346

COPENHAGEN PASS TO EST OFFICE

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV ETRD EAGR NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY FAVORS BINDING FRAMEWORK ON MERCURY ISSUE.

REF: STATE 63943


1. (U) Responding to reftel on June 18, Ministry of Environment
Pollution Control Section senior advisor, Henrik Eriksen, discussed
the GON position concerning mercury contamination. The GON favors a
legally binding framework on global mercury contamination. All UNEP
priority areas should be covered in the framework. The GON has not
developed specific positions on required measures.

Binding Framework
--------------


2. (U) Eriksen stressed that the GON strongly favors a legal
framework as the best solution to address mercury contamination. A
voluntary framework is unlikely to include sufficiently binding
measures to secure a level playing field. Further, he noted that a
binding framework is needed to appropriately address trade
implications and securing the sustainable financing of mercury
reductions in developing countries. Nonetheless, the GON is
amenable to conceptually discussing a non-binding framework in
October. A clear GON position on a preferred type of legal
framework has not yet been developed.

UNEP Priority Areas
--------------

3. (U) Eriksen stated that all of the UNEP priority areas should
be covered in the framework. A debate specifying priority areasfurther, however, should wait. The GON will look o cooperative
solution under the Basel Conventin framework. Such cooperation
will be similar t what has been done with POPs in the Stockholm
Covention.

Broad Measures and Timing
--------------


4. (SBU) It is the GON's position that an agreement will require a
broad range of measures in order to address different aspects of
mercury pollution. He specifically mentioned direct phase-out
goals, BAT requirements, information sharing and measures to promote
technical assistance to developing countries. The Ministry has not
yet developed specific positions on what types of measures any
agreement should specify.


5. (SBU) A particular time-frame was not discussed. Eriksen stated
that pace of action under any framework must be balanced against the
availability and costs of mercury-free technology and how technical
assistance could be provided to developing countries.

WHITNEY