VZCZCXYZ0001
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHMU #0431 1002309
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 092309Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY MANAGUA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2419
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS MANAGUA 000431
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE PASS USTR
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTRO NI
SUBJECT: NICARAGUA: U.S. - EU TAFT GOODS PROPOSAL LINKED
WITH REGIONAL INTEGRATION
REF: SECSTATE 12905
(SBU) In coordination with European Commission Economic,
Political, and Press Officer Nicolas Bulte, Econoff delivered
reftel demarche on March 4, 2008, to Ministry of Trade,
Industry, and Development Director General for International
Trade Sonia Somarriba. She promised to study the joint U.S.
- EU proposal on nontariff barriers to textiles, apparel,
footwear, and travel (TAFT) goods at the World Trade
Organization. During a follow-up conversation on April 8,
2008, Somarriba explained that Nicaragua's views on the joint
U.S. - EU proposal would be developed within the context of
regional efforts among Central American countries to
harmonize labeling requirements and other standards related
to trade. She declined to provide additional details, noting
that integration efforts are a "work in progress."
TRIVELLI