INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Gc Chair On Pa Bid for Wto Observer Status

Published: Fri 2 Oct 2009 04:22 PM
VZCZCXRO0304
RR RUEHIK
DE RUEHGV #0832 2751622
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 021622Z OCT 09
FM USMISSION GENEVA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 9491
INFO RUEHTV/AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV 4632
RUEHJM/AMCONSUL JERUSALEM 0895
RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 6909
RUEHOT/AMEMBASSY OTTAWA 5723
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 6542
RUEHSW/AMEMBASSY BERN 8530
RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 2044
RUEHKV/AMEMBASSY KYIV 1074
RUEHRH/AMEMBASSY RIYADH 0724
RUEHEG/AMEMBASSY CAIRO 2010
RUEHAM/AMEMBASSY AMMAN 1068
RUEHAK/AMEMBASSY ANKARA 1819
RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS GENEVA 000832
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
DEPT PASS USTR
TEL AVIV FOR AMB, DCM, AND ECON
USTR FOR CKLEIN, AVENKATARAMAN, SFRANCESKI, MMOWREY
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD WTRO ECON PREL KWBG IS
SUBJECT: GC CHAIR ON PA BID FOR WTO OBSERVER STATUS
Reftels: (a) Jerusalem 1607 (B) Secstate 99831 (c) Geneva00783
(d) Tel Aviv 02166
1. (SBU) This morning General Council (GC) Chair Matus provided
Charge with a readout on recent developments on the PA bid. The
Israeli's have told him that they oppose the PA's requests for
observership in GC and the Ministerial Conference because it is
neither a State nor a customs territory. On the other side, Egypt
is insisting that this is not a technical issue. If one or two WTO
Members objects, this has to be handled in such a way that it would
be clear to all WTO Members who they are. They did not threaten to
call for a vote but Matus is not sure if this idea has gone away.
The PA continues to be insistent on achieving their objective but he
says they have been more moderate in their tone than the Egyptians.
2. (SBU) Matus is still expecting to see the formal request from the
PA on Monday. He said that he "cannot hide the request" from
Members. At a minimum he will circulate the written request to
Members but he is also thinking of mentioning it during the October
GC meeting. He hadn't thought through yet whether that might be
done as an agenda item or under other business, but he said he would
consult thoroughly before he decides. Once Members are all made
aware of the request he will wait for reactions but he expects this
to be an issue for the November GC meeting. (Note - Should Matus
chose not to say anything on this issue at the GC meeting we can
expect Egypt, or someone else, to bring it up so we will need to be
prepared in any event.)
SHARK
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