US embassy cable - 05SANSALVADOR2793

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002793 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EB/IPE 
STATE PASS USTR FOR DMULLANEY 
STATE PASS USPTO FOR DLASHLEY-JOHNSON 
USDA/FAS FOR JHURST 
GUATEMALA FOR FAS SHUETE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAGR, ETRD, KIPR, ES, WTO 
SUBJECT: GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS VIDEO FOCUSES GOES ATTENTION 
 
Refs: A) SECSTATE 180474, B) SECSTATE 165908, C) SECSTATE 131291 
 
1.  (U) On October 12, Economic Counselor and Agricultural 
Specialist showed ref a video to representatives of the trade 
policy offices of the Ministries of Agriculture and Economy, of 
the National Registry Center (CNR), and of the National Science 
and Technology Committee (CONACYT).  Embassy staff emphasized the 
importance of dealing with intellectual property issues in the 
correct forum in WTO discussions as well as the possible negative 
trade implications of the EU proposal on geographical indications 
for producers and governments in the region. Post also shared ref 
a talking points and the EU "clawback list" with participants. 
 
2.  (U) Participants took the message well and with interest. 
The CONACYT Regulatory Office Chief agreed that the EU proposal 
raised difficulties, recalling discussion in the context of the 
international Codex Alimentarius committee regarding parmesan 
cheese.  The CNR representative added that the CNR was interested 
in raising awareness in the broader Salvadoran community about 
the issue and commented that a video was an effective vehicle to 
convey key points related to common marks.  The Ministry of 
Economy intellectual property negotiator wrapped up the comment 
session by acknowledging the need to coordinate the issue within 
El Salvador.  No specific commitment was made regarding upcoming 
October meetings in Geneva. 
 
3. (U) Comment: Showing the video was an effective means of 
focusing the attention of officials from a number of agencies on 
a single issue and raising interest in possible follow up 
activities, such as using the Cochran Fellowship to educate 
Salvadoran officials on the U.S. registry system.  Post thanks 
Department for its efforts to support this important demarche.