TRADE MINISTER CREAN ANXIOUS FOR RELATIONSHIP WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000377 NOFORN SIPDIS STATE PLEASE PASS USTR/WEISEL E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2019 TAGS: ETRD ECON PREL AS SUBJECT: TRADE MINISTER CREAN ANXIOUS FOR RELATIONSHIP WITH USTR KIRK Classified By: Dep EconCouns W Albright, 1.4 b and d ¶1. (C/NF) Summary: Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean wants to sustain effort on Doha. He is anxious to play a role and will do what he can to enjoy a close relationship with Amb. Kirk. Rumors surround his political future that reinforce his desire for strong US ties. End summary. ¶2. (C/NF) Econoff met with David Garner, chief of staff to Trade Minister Simon Crean, following Crean's visit to the US and China. Most of Garner's points (which appeared to have been prepared in advance, in contrast to the norm in econoff's experience of meeting with Garner) boiled down to one key point: Simon Crean believes that the Doha Round can and should be concluded, and that to do so will require personal attention from key leaders such as Ambassador Kirk. He said he understands the US believes it best to wait until key players Japan and India have held elections later this year. Encouraged by G20 Statement ¶3. (C/NF) Garner said Crean was very happy that the G20"Global Plan for Recovery and Reform" included paragraphs reaffirming the commitment to stay engaged in order conclude the DDA, language that was "better than expected." Australia agrees about the importance of encouraging trade in the context of the global financial crisis; Garner said he hopes the G20 statement's points on trade "reflect the views throughout the Administration." Want to Engage ¶4. (C/NF) Garner stressed how Crean believes the personal engagement of key leaders will be critical to ensuring that Doha succeeds. He noted how Crean "engaged closely" with then-Ambassador Susan Schwab, on Doha and other trade issues, and said Crean would very much like to do the same with Ambassador Kirk. Crean doesn't want to "get into technical details" in such engagements, Garner said, but rather to talk political tactics. Crean has also worked closely with EU Trade Commissioner Mandelson, his successor Catherine Ashton, and with the Chinese among others, to try to help Doha along. Garner noted that Crean and Ashton were "new blood" in the Doha context, which was important during 2008; he thinks a fresh US Trade Representative can similarly bring new visions to Doha to help advance it. ¶5. (C/NF) Garner noted that Crean was unable to meet separately with Amb. Kirk during the trip to Washington in late March (Crean joined Prime Minister Rudd's meeting with Amb. Kirk on March 26, flying to Washington for the meeting at Rudd's instruction). Crean, Garner said, understood the need for a new Administration to review trade policy; the Rudd government had a similar review in late 2007. Garner said that Crean believed that it could be useful if a review included the views of close trade partners and colleagues of the US, which may be on the same page on most issues (i.e., Australia). ¶6. (C/NF) Finally, Garner stressed Crean's desire to meet with Amb. Kirk. He noted there would be several occasions where Crean and Amb. Kirk were both likely to be in attendance (OECD, APEC Trade Ministers, G8). Crean would be glad to meet on the fringes of such meetings, or as part of a bilateral visit, whatever would work best for Amb. Kirk. Garner also mentioned the US-Australian FTA joint review, an annual event that has been held at the Minister level since 2006; Australia is due to host in 2009. Rumors and Comments ¶7. (C/NF) Simon Crean is very eager to establish a relationship with Amb. Kirk similar to that he enjoyed with Qrelationship with Amb. Kirk similar to that he enjoyed with Amb. Schwab - although post notes that Amb. Schwab almost certainly got less out of the relationship than Kirk. Crean wants to be seen as a player on the Doha/trade stage - consistent with Rudd's "middle power" diplomatic strategy for Australia. There are rumors circulating in Canberra about Crean's future; one has him being dumped by Rudd later this year during an expected Cabinet reshuffle. Another rumor has Crean in line for an Ambassadorship, with Crean reportedly angling for Washington. Whether he is trying to save his Trade portfolio or to land the job in Washington, we believe Crean will be anxious to do whatever he can to demonstrate that he has good ties to key Washington players, in particular Ambassador Kirk. CLUNE