Cablegate: Thailand - Demarche On Wto Taft Proposal

VZCZCXYZ4283
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBK #0660 0622342
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 022342Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 2029

UNCLAS BANGKOK 000660

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EEB/TPP/MTA/MST ASCHEIBE
STATE PASS USTR FOR BNORTON, JWEISS
USDOC FOR EBRZYTWA

E.O. 12958:N/A
TAGS: ECON ETRD WTRO TH

SUBJECT: THAILAND - DEMARCHE ON WTO TAFT PROPOSAL

REF: STATE 12905

Econ Counselor and Bangkok-based EU representative met jointly with
Mr. Winichai Chaemchaeng, Deputy Director General of Thailand's
Department of Trade Negotiations, and delivered reftel points on the
U.S./EC WTO proposal on Textiles, Apparel, Footwear and Travel Goods
(TAFT). Winichai was generally positive toward the proposal to
co-sponsor. He noted that the U.S. had raised an earlier TAFT
proposal approximately two years ago. At that time, the RTG had
consulted with stakeholders and found no objections, and while not
aware of any new concerns of Thai stakeholders he would convene
another meeting to review the proposal again with them. Winichai
said that a decision should be made in one to two weeks and that the
Ministry would send appropriate instructions to the RTG delegation
in Geneva.
JOHN

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