Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09COLOMBO350
2009-03-27 07:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Colombo
Cable title:  

TIMEFRAME FOR NEXT TIFA TALKS AGREED

Tags:  CE EAGR ECON ENIV ETRD USTR 
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VZCZCXRO1629
RR RUEHLMC
DE RUEHLM #0350 0860749
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 270749Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9670
INFO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI 2826
RUEHCG/AMCONSUL CHENNAI 9120
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHDC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEHLMC/MILLENNIUM CHALLENGE CORPORATION
UNCLAS COLOMBO 000350 

SIPDIS

STATE PLS PASS TO USTR MICHAEL DELANEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CE EAGR ECON ENIV ETRD USTR
SUBJECT: TIMEFRAME FOR NEXT TIFA TALKS AGREED

REF: A. COLOMBO 259

B. 08 SECSTATE 71651

UNCLAS COLOMBO 000350

SIPDIS

STATE PLS PASS TO USTR MICHAEL DELANEY

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CE EAGR ECON ENIV ETRD USTR
SUBJECT: TIMEFRAME FOR NEXT TIFA TALKS AGREED

REF: A. COLOMBO 259

B. 08 SECSTATE 71651


1. During a February 20 meeting U.S.-Sri Lanka Trade and
Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) lead counterparts
Minister for Export Development and International Trade G.L.
Peiris and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative (AUSTR)
Michael Delaney agreed in principle to hold 2009 TIFA talks
in Colombo, with a possible side meeting in Trincomalee, in
October. Delaney previewed his hope to include
private-sector U.S. participation on the margins of the TIFA
talks, which Peiris wholeheartedly endorsed. In further
discussions with Ambassador Blake in March, Peiris agreed to
Delaney's recommendation to hold TIFA talks the week of
October 12, 2009.


2. During his February 20 meeting, Delaney also raised the
issue of excessive tariffs, levies, duties and other charges
on U.S. agricultural imports. Peiris agreed that the fees
are above the norm, stating he raised this issues once with
the officials from the Ministry of Finance. He promised to
do so again and respond in writing to Ambassador Blake's
October 27, 2008 letter concerning the same.


3. AUSTR Delaney has cleared this cable.
BLAKE