Cablegate: Portugal Open to Discussing Iea Membership For

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DE RUEHLI #0512 0581706
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R 271706Z FEB 08
FM AMEMBASSY LISBON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6651
INFO RUCNIEA/IEA CAPITALS COLLECTIVE
RUEHSS/OECD POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEHPD/AMCONSUL PONTA DELGADA 0410

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SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EUR/WE KEVIN OPSTRUP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ENRG IEA PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL OPEN TO DISCUSSING IEA MEMBERSHIP FOR
NON-OECD MEMBERS (CHINA/INDIA)

REF: STATE 14271

1. (SBU) Pol/Econ Officer delivered reftel talking points to
the MFA's Director of International Economic Organizations
Jose Rui Caroco and Senior Advisor on International
Organizations and Economic Affairs Duarte Nuno G.J. Pinto da
Rocha. Caroco stated that even though the IEA requires that
its members be OECD members first, the GOP is open to
discussing the USG proposal to explore alternative membership
options, as in the case of the Financial Action Task Force.
He noted that climate change, supply disruption and energy
security are global concerns and that the GOP would like to
see major energy-consuming countries like India and China
more in-line with IEA Shared Goals.

2. (SBU) Caroco will advise the Portuguese OECD office in
Paris of the USG's plan to raise the membership issue during
the next IEA Governing Board meeting. Caroco will also
consult with other IEA members within the EU to see if there
are any consensus-building possibilities.

Stephenson

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