CHILE: DEMARCHE ON IMO SHIP RECYCLING

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000436 STATE FOR OES/OPA - Greg O'Brien SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EIND ETRD EWWT IMO KTIA PREL SENV CI SUBJECT: CHILE: DEMARCHE ON IMO SHIP RECYCLING REF: STATE 41904 ¶1. (SBU) Epoloff delivered reftel demarche with Australian DCM Maree Ringland to MFA Counselor for Environmental Affairs Jose Fernandez and Chief of Sustainable Development and Trade Edda Rossi on May 6. Both officials expressed support for Australia's proposed paper and noted that many multilateral environmental agreements have equivalency provisions similar to the provisions offered by Australia. Rossi inquired about the nature of India's opposition to the Australian proposal, but Epoloff deferred saying that is a question best answered by India. ¶2. (SBU) Chile will be represented at the May 11-15 diplomatic conference by members of DIRECTMAR, the Chilean coast guard. Fernandez encouraged the Australian and U.S. delegations to contact the Chilean delegation directly to determine the best way to proceed at the conference. ¶3. POC for Embassy Santiago on this issue is Epoloff Patrick Fischer: FischerPJ@state.gov. SIMONS