LATVIA NOT WILLING TO PUSH ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS

UNCLAS RIGA 000524 SIPDIS USTR FOR TANUJA GARDE AND DAWN SHACKLEFORD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON ETRD EUN LG SUBJECT: LATVIA NOT WILLING TO PUSH ON GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS SENSITIVE REF: STATE 104985 (SBU) Latvia has no Geographical Indications (GIs) to defend, but is not willing to push against the European consensus proposals. Econoff delivered reftel points to Juris Stalmeisters, Director of the MFA Economic Relations Department on October 23. Stalmeisters noted that he was already familiar with the U.S. position on the GI register, GI extension, and TRIPS and the CBD. He indicated that while Latvia is always ready to listen to the U.S. arguments, the EC stance is also well known and Latvia is not in a position to ask for changes in those views. He never expressed direct support for the EC/Swiss positions, but made it clear that Latvia would not push against countries with a larger stake in the GI debate. COMMENT: In the current severe national economic crisis, Latvia has become even more dependent on European Commission loans and other forms of financial support. This dependence will make Latvia even less likely to break ranks. GARBER