US embassy cable - 03KUWAIT422

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Identifier:	03KUWAIT422
Wikileaks:	View 03KUWAIT422 at Wikileaks.org
Origin:	Embassy Kuwait
Created:	2003-02-03 05:21:00
Classification:	UNCLASSIFIED
Tags:	ETRD ECON EAGR KU USTR GCC
Redacted:	This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks.

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000422 
 
SIPDIS 
 
USDOC 4520/ITA/MAC/ONE/DGUGLIELMI 
DEPT PASS TO USTR FOR JBUNTIN 
GENEVA FOR USTR 
DEPT FOR EB/TPP/ATT 
DUBAI FOR MICHAEL HENRY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ETRD, ECON, EAGR, KU, USTR, GCC 
SUBJECT: KUWAIT TO FURTHER POSTPONE ICCP IMPLEMENTATION 
 
REF: KUWAIT 00392 AND PREVIOUS 
 
1. (U) During a February 1, 2003, meeting with Salah Abdul 
Redha A. Khourshid, Kuwait's Minister for Commerce and 
Industry (MOCI), the Ambassador requested that the GOK 
further delay implementation of its proposed International 
Conformity Certification Program (ICCP) to allow WTO members 
additional time to reply (reftel).  After consulting with his 
advisors, Khourshid agreed, stating that the GOK now plans to 
postpone the ICCP start date until at least March 17. 
 
2. (U) Khourshid was joined in the meeting by four MOCI 
officials, including three officials from the Public 
Authority for Industry (PAI); the Ambassador was joined by 
EconOff (note taker) and a senior local staff member.  MOCI 
Acting Under Secretary Bader Abdul Rahim stated that in 
addition to the technical reasons cited (reftel), the GOK's 
commercial attache is presently involved in negotiations on 
technical aspects of the program with the WTO Secretariat. 
He added that the WTO has asked Kuwait to submit an 
explanatory paper before it moves forward with implementation. 
URBANCIC