Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
License needed for work use Register

Search

 

Cablegate: U.S. Wto Ag Proposals: Egyptian Response

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS CAIRO 008033

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR FO, ELA, RA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR ETRD EG WTRO
SUBJECT: U.S. WTO AG PROPOSALS: EGYPTIAN RESPONSE

REF: STATE 190748

The following is Sensitive but Unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.

1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph 5.

2. (U) Econoff delivered reftel demarche on October 17 to Dr.
Samiha Fawzy, First Assistant to the Minister of Foreign
Trade and Industry. Dr. Fawzy was well aware of the U.S.
reform proposals and said she would review the demarche
points and USTR Fact Sheets (which she already had in her
possession) with the Minister. FAS Counselor also delivered
points to the Ministry of Agriculture.

3. (SBU) In a subsequent meeting (septel), the Ambassador
raised the issue with Minister of Foreign Trade and Industry
Rashid Rashid who said that Egypt has pressed the Europeans
to meet the U.S. proposal and would keep pushing them.
Rashid said Egypt has been very clear about its desire for
more market access, and that "Ambassador Portman made a big
step" with the U.S. proposal.

4. (SBU) Fawzy mentioned that Egypt, as coordinator of the
African Group, was planning on convening a
"micro-ministerial" meeting in Cairo on October 26-27, and
said they needed the "numbers, co-efficients, formulas, etc."
to be able to show the impacts of the proposals on Africa.
She also said that MFTI was conducting a series of workshops
for journalists on WTO-related trade issues to better prepare
them to cover the negotiations.

5. (SBU) Action Request: Post requests USTR and USDA
assistance in meeting MFTI request for data regarding the
U.S. proposal's ramifications for African markets.


RICCIARDONE

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
World Headlines

 
UN News: Aid Access Is Key Priority

Among the key issues facing diplomats is securing the release of a reported 199 Israeli hostages, seized during the Hamas raid. “History is watching,” says Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths. “This war was started by taking those hostages. Of course, there's a history between Palestinian people and the Israeli people, and I'm not denying any of that. But that act alone lit a fire, which can only be put out with the release of those hostages.” More

Save The Children: Four Earthquakes In a Week Leave Thousands Homeless

Families in western Afghanistan are reeling after a fourth earthquake hit Herat Province, crumbling buildings and forcing people to flee once again, with thousands now living in tents exposed to fierce winds and dust storms. The latest 6.3 magnitude earthquake hit 30 km outside of Herat on Sunday, shattering communities still reeling from strong and shallow aftershocks. More

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.