ARGENTINA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITIONS ON LIABILITY AND REDRESS

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000141 STATE FOR OES - DANIELLE WOOD STATE FOR EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT - MARCELLA SZYMANSKI USDA/FAS FOR STEVE FROGGETT SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR ECON ETRD TBIO KAPO AR SUBJECT: ARGENTINA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITIONS ON LIABILITY AND REDRESS UNDER CARTAGENA PROTOCOL REF: STATE 11910 ¶1. On February 10, ESTHCouns delivered reftel demarche to Jose Luis Sutera, who handles biodiversity issues in the MFA's Directorate for Environmental Issues. Sutera noted that the GOA was of one mind with the USG on liability and redress under the Cartagena Protocol on Biodiversity, with similar positions on all issues raised in the demarche. He added that the GOA delegation was looking forward to working closely with the U.S. delegation in Mexico City on these points, using the good offices of the Paraguayans, as was done in the past. ¶2. FAS Counselor separately discussed reftel points with Martin Lema, of the Agriculture Secretariat, who will head the Argentine delegation in Mexico City. Lema confirmed Sutera's comments as to the GOA's support of U.S. positions and its willingness to work with the U.S. delegation. While Argentina is not a member of the Cartagena Protocol, Lema will be contacting Steve Froggett at FAS/USDA directly to discuss coordination with like-minded Latin American countries that are members. He noted that Peru and Paraguay have been particularly supportive in the past, but that it is not clear whether they will continue this support due to changes in both governments. WAYNE