Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OSLO82
2008-02-15 14:31:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWEGIANS CONSIDER WTO TAFT PROPOSAL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0005 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNY #0082 0461431 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 151431Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6600 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1323 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
UNCLAS OSLO 000082
SIPDIS
SIPDIS, SENSITIVE
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR (BNORTON, JWEISS),
COMMERCE (EBRZYTWA) AND EEB/TPP/MTA (ASCHEIBE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTO ECON NO
SUBJECT: NORWEGIANS CONSIDER WTO TAFT PROPOSAL
REF: STATE 12905
(SBU) On February 14 we delivered joint reftel points, in
coordination with EC Counselor Arne Karlsson, to MFA
WTO/OECD Section Deputy Director General Dagfinn Soerli and
Senior Advisor Camila Blom. Although the GON did not
"disagree in spirit" with the proposed text, Soerli frankly
noted that the WTO Taft proposal has not received much GON
attention. The GON does not see a material interest in the
issue, with Soerli stating that Norway must "concentrate
its energies" on other WTO matters. Soerli did not,
however, preclude the GON from co-sponsoring the proposed
text, and will speak with colleagues in other GON
ministries on this issue. Blom pointed out that there were
some environmental concerns, particularly as to whether the
proposed text conflicts with other GON environmental
obligations (i.e. carbon footprinting, ethical labeling).
Post will report on any GON follow-up on this issue.
JOHNSON
SIPDIS
SIPDIS, SENSITIVE
STATE PLEASE PASS TO USTR (BNORTON, JWEISS),
COMMERCE (EBRZYTWA) AND EEB/TPP/MTA (ASCHEIBE)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTO ECON NO
SUBJECT: NORWEGIANS CONSIDER WTO TAFT PROPOSAL
REF: STATE 12905
(SBU) On February 14 we delivered joint reftel points, in
coordination with EC Counselor Arne Karlsson, to MFA
WTO/OECD Section Deputy Director General Dagfinn Soerli and
Senior Advisor Camila Blom. Although the GON did not
"disagree in spirit" with the proposed text, Soerli frankly
noted that the WTO Taft proposal has not received much GON
attention. The GON does not see a material interest in the
issue, with Soerli stating that Norway must "concentrate
its energies" on other WTO matters. Soerli did not,
however, preclude the GON from co-sponsoring the proposed
text, and will speak with colleagues in other GON
ministries on this issue. Blom pointed out that there were
some environmental concerns, particularly as to whether the
proposed text conflicts with other GON environmental
obligations (i.e. carbon footprinting, ethical labeling).
Post will report on any GON follow-up on this issue.
JOHNSON