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