Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OSLO84
2008-02-15 16:58:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWEGIANS CONSIDER WTO TAFT PROPOSAL
how-toVZCZCXYZ0028 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNY #0084 0461658 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 151658Z FEB 08 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6602 INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1324 RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
UNCLAS OSLO 000084
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.
WHITNEY