US embassy cable - 05MAPUTO552

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000552 
 
SIPDIS 
STATE FOR AF/S - HTREGER 
STATE PASS TO USTR - PCOLEMAN 
COMMERCE FOR INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIST - RTELCHIN 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, EINV, ECON, MZ, TIFA 
SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE INTERESTED IN PURSUING A TIFA WITH THE 
UNITED STATES 
 
REF: A. STATE 79861 
 
B. COLEMAN-LA LIME EMAIL 04/29/05 
 
On May 4, Ambassador delivered Reftel A talking points 
regarding a U.S.-Mozambique Trade Investment Framework 
Agreement (TIFA) to Antonio Fernando, Mozambican Minister of 
Industry and Commerce. The Minister stated that the GRM is 
interested in exploring the possibility of negotiating a TIFA 
with the U.S. and asked that the Ambassador forward the draft 
text to him upon first opportunity. (NOTE: Post will 
forward English and Portuguese versions of the draft TIFA 
text contained in Ref B to the Ministry of Industry and 
Commerce once Post has received confirmation from USTR that 
this is acceptable. END NOTE) Fernando stressed that the 
decision of whether to pursue a TIFA with the U.S. would have 
to be made by the GRM as a whole, but he promised to raise 
awareness of the TIFA within appropriate GRM circles. The 
Ambassador also mentioned that a delegation from the Office 
of the USTR was interested in visiting Mozambique this month 
to discuss a TIFA. Fernando said the delegation's visit would 
be welcome. 
LALIME