Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
2011/03/22
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 06WELLINGTON878, NEW ZEALAND - 2007 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #06WELLINGTON878.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06WELLINGTON878 | 2006-11-07 01:56 | 2011-04-28 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Wellington |
VZCZCXRO1320
RR RUEHNZ
DE RUEHWL #0878/01 3110156
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 070156Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3464
INFO RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 4599
RUEHNZ/AMCONSUL AUCKLAND 1000
RUCPDOC/USDOC WASHDC 0089
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 WELLINGTON 000878
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/ANP - DAN RICCI
STATE PASS USTR FOR BWEISEL AND GBLUE
COMMERCE FOR ITA/MAC/AP/OSAO
TRASURY FOR OASIA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ECON EFIN NZ
SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND - 2007 NATIONAL TRADE ESTIMATE REPORT
REF: State 136302
¶1. Following is post's input for 2007 National Trade Estimate Report
on New Zealand per request reftel. We assume that Washington
agencies will provide updated trade and investment data.
¶2. Begin text of NTE submission:
---------------
IMPORT POLICIES
---------------
In general, tariff rates in New Zealand are low as a result of
several rounds of unilateral tariff cuts that began in the mid-1980s
and continued until the current Labour government, elected in 1999,
froze further reductions until July 2005. The New Zealand
government announced in September 2003 that it would resume
unilateral tariff reductions starting July 1, 2006. Under this
unilateral tariff reduction programme New Zealand has begun
implementing gradual reductions of its highest tariff rates
(currently 17 percent), which will take these tariffs to 10 percent
by July 1, 2009. These top rates apply mostly to clothing,
footwear, and carpet. Ad valorem tariffs on all other dutiable
goods will reduce to 5 percent by July 1, 2008.
--------------------------------------------- -
STANDARDS, TESTING, LABELING AND CERTIFICATION
--------------------------------------------- -
Biotechnology Regulations
-------------------------
New Zealand's Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA), an
independent body, reviews applications for the release of new
organisms, including biotechnology products that contain living
organisms. Using a risk management approach, ERMA assesses
applications on a case-by-case basis and can issue three types of
approvals: contained field test, conditional release with
conditions, and full, unconditional release. The Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) enforces compliance of field tests
and conditional release approvals. To date, ERMA has only approved
a small number of contained field tests. There have been no
applications for either a conditional or a full release of
genetically modified organisms in New Zealand.
Containment approvals include those conducted in enclosed
laboratories, glasshouses and outdoors in field test situations.
When assessing an application for a containment approval, ERMA
focuses on the adequacy of containment and, if an escape should
occur, the effect of the organism on the environment. ERMA recently
received an application from Crop and Food Research to conduct a
contained field test for broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower
genetically engineered for pest resistance. Three years ago, ERMA
approved an application from the same organization to field test
genetically engineered onions.
Release approvals include both conditional release, where controls
can be placed on the organism to manage risks, and full release
where no controls are imposed, which makes it extremely unlikely
that a full release would be granted for a biotechnology product.
The process for GM field test or release applications is much more
onerous than for a full, non-field test containment application.
Among other things, applicants for a conditional or full release
must provide ERMA with detailed information and analysis that
enables them to conduct a full scale risk assessment that takes into
account a broad range of scientific and economic factors in the
decision making process. This includes the possible impact of a
release on New Zealand's clean green image and the organic sector.
Until October 2003, New Zealand maintained a voluntary two-year
moratorium on the introduction of all biotechnology products, which
precluded applications for the commercial planting of biotechnology
crops, the commercial importation of genetically modified seeds, the
release into the environment of genetically modified animals and, to
a lesser extent, some human and veterinary medicines containing
biotechnology products. The moratorium, however, did not apply to
the use and sale of processed genetically modified foods and
ingredients. With the moratorium's expiration and the report of the
Royal Commission on Genetic Modification, Parliament amended the
Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 to make the
regulation of biotechnological research more workable and to
facilitate controlled release of biotechnology products. The
amendment, the New Organisms and Other Matters Bill of 2003,
introduced the conditional release category for approval of new
WELLINGTON 00000878 002 OF 007
organisms.
Biotechnology Food Approval
---------------------------
Imported genetically modified foods for sale in New Zealand must be
assessed and approved by Food Standards Australia New Zealand
(FSANZ), which is the bi-national food regulatory authority for New
Zealand and Australia. FSANZ is responsible for the development of
regulations in the Australia - New Zealand Food Standards Code (the
Code). The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) is responsible
for implementation and enforcement of the Code within New Zealand.
A mandatory standard for foods produced using modern biotechnology
came into effect in mid-1999. The standard which was established
under the Food Act of 1981 prohibits the sale of food produced using
biotechnology unless such food has been assessed by FSANZ and listed
in the food code standard. As of November 2006, FSANZ has received
a total of 38 applications for assessment of bioengineered foods. Of
these, 31 applications had been approved and five are under
assessment. Two requests had been withdrawn.
Biotechnology Food Labeling
---------------------------
Mandatory labeling requirements for foods produced using gene
technology took effect in December 2001. With few exceptions, a
food in its final form that contains detectable DNA or protein
resulting from genetic modification must be so labeled. Meeting New
Zealand's biotechnology food labeling regulations can be burdensome
and is especially relevant for U.S. agricultural exporters who deal
primarily in processed food. New Zealand wholesalers and retailers
frequently demand biotechnology-free declarations from their
suppliers. This effectively places liability for any biotechnology
labeling non-compliance on the importer. New Zealand food
legislation requires businesses to exercise due diligence in
complying with food standards, which usually is defined as
maintaining a paper or audit trail similar to a quality assurance
system.
The NZFSA conducts periodic compliance audits. Violators of
food-labeling requirements can be assessed penalties under the Food
Act 1981. The New Zealand government is reviewing penalties
stipulated under the Act to ensure that they represent an adequate
economic deterrent. The effect of these regulations is to
discourage New Zealand food retailers from carrying biotechnology
food products.
Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures
-----------------------------------
New Zealand maintains a strict regimen of sanitary and phytosanitary
(SPS) controls for virtually all imported agricultural products.
The United States and New Zealand continue to discuss specific SPS
issues that negatively impact trade in products supplied by the
United States.
In 2006, New Zealand implemented new processes for undertaking risk
analyses and developing import health standards. This initiative is
intended to streamline existing processes and provide consistency in
the way New Zealand undertakes these tasks.
As of July 1, 2006, New Zealand also implemented a new system for
funding and managing the development of import health standards.
The new system is intended to be more transparent, direct government
resources to the highest priorities, and increase the resources
available for developing import health standards.
During the 2006 Trade and Investment Framework Agreement
discussions, the USG requested that New Zealand develop an import
standard for Pacific Northwest (PNW) stone fruit (plums, peaches,
nectarines and apricots). In response to the U.S. request, New
Zealand has added PNW stone fruit to their 2006-2007 import health
standard development work program. Details on the timing for
issuing the import health standard will be confirmed once the work
has commenced. The 2006-07 work program also includes a review of
import requirements for citrus from the United States.
New Zealand recently completed a risk assessment of U.S. chilled
pork. To date, this product has been subject to a pre-cooking
requirement because of the presence of Porcine Reproductive and
Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) in the United States. While the
analysis confirmed that there is a risk of PRRS disease entering NZ,
the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is recommending that
high value chilled cuts of pork be allowed entry without any
WELLINGTON 00000878 003 OF 007
sanitary treatment. To date, MAF has received 44 submissions,
including two from the United States. All submissions must be
reviewed and considered before MAF can move to the next phase, which
is drafting an import health standard.
New Zealand's import health standard for wood packaging material
came into effect in May 2006 and enforcement of the standard was
phased in over the following two months. However, New Zealand
retained a pre-existing requirement that all wood packaging
materials be bark-free. The United States has requested that New
Zealand suspend the implementation of the bark-free requirement
until the findings of on-going international research on the risk of
pest transmission through bark is released. However, New Zealand
maintains that freedom from bark needs to be met to gain biosecurity
clearance, which could take the form of debarking at destination.
The USG continues to address this issue with New Zealand.
The New Zealand Food Safety Authority (NZFSA) requires case-by-case
assessment of U.S. bovine products before importation due to
concerns over Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). NZFSA has
completed an assessment of the U.S. BSE regime and has indicated
that it will lift that restriction once both sides agree on
certification language that must accompany meat imports.
Discussions are currently underway on the revised certification
language.
Imports of U.S. poultry meat (except canned product) remain
suspended due to restrictions on countries that have infectious
bursal disease.
---------------------------------------------
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS (IPR) PROTECTION
---------------------------------------------
The New Zealand government has proposed amendments to strengthen its
copyright and patent laws and enhance the country's protection of
intellectual property rights. With proposed amendments to the
Copyright Act 1994, the government aims to address developments in
digital technologies and international developments in copyright law
and to bring New Zealand law into closer conformity with the WIPO
Copyright Treaty (WCT) and the WIPO Performances and Phonograms
Treaty (WPPT). The amendments are expected to be reviewed and
approved by the Cabinet before they are introduced in Parliament by
end of 2006. If this legislation is enacted, the New Zealand
government then will determine whether to accede to the WCT and WPPT
treaties.
The Ministry of Economic Development in December 2004 released draft
legislation that is intended to replace the Patents Act 1953 and to
bring New Zealand's patent law into closer conformity with
international standards. This draft would keep the maximum patent
term at 20 years, but would tighten the criteria for granting a
patent, from a patentable invention being new in New Zealand, to
being new anywhere in the world and involving an inventive step.
The Government hopes to introduce the legislation by the end of
¶2006.
The U.S. music industry opposes a proposed amendment to the New
Zealand Copyright Act that would legalize the duplication of sound
recordings in other formats for a purchaser's private use. The
government says this would enable consumers to employ new digital
technologies and would legalize what already is common practice.
The government also notes the amendment would limit copying to one
copy per format, specify that the original sound recording must be
legitimate, and exclude making copies from borrowed or rented
recordings. The music industry warns that such an exception to
copyright protection would make copyright infringement difficult to
enforce, send the wrong message to consumers and cost the industry
in sales revenue and profits. The industry adds that the exception
would discourage the development of music products that would permit
home copying under contractual arrangements between the consumer and
the provider.
In the absence of a broad fair use provision in the New Zealand
legislation, the government maintains that a specific exception is
required to allow New Zealand consumers to engage in format shifting
afforded U.S. consumers. The New Zealand government believes the
proposed exception is arguably narrower than that covered under the
fair use doctrine, as it specifically limits copying to one copy per
format, specifies that the original sound recording must be
legitimate and explicitly excludes making copies from borrowed or
hired recordings. The music industry has, nevertheless, opposed the
exception, and the Associate Minister of Commerce, Judith Tizard,
who has portfolio responsibility for intellectual property, has been
engaged in an on-going dialogue with the industry. The government
WELLINGTON 00000878 004 OF 007
was flexible on the drafting of the proposed exception and added a
sunset clause and a condition that the exception would be overridden
by any license provision in an attempt to address industry
concerns.
Additionally, the industry favors a wider approach to technological
protection measures (TPMs) than that provided in the governments
proposed amendments. The government's proposal would prohibit the
supply of devices or the means or information to circumvent TPMs
that would result in infringing any of the copyright owner's
exclusive rights, and not just copying as now specified in the
legislation. The industry says the act of circumventing a TPM also
should be illegal. It also wants protection against the
circumvention of TPMs that control access to copyright material, in
addition to TPMs that control copying.
U.S. industry also has expressed concern over a proposed exception
to the Copyright Act that would allow the unauthorized delays for
virtually all works communicated to the public. The industry warns
that the exception would discourage rights holders from developing
new approaches to meeting consumer demand for electronically
delivered materials and reduce access and choice for New Zealand
consumers to these materials. The Act currently provides an
exception (section 84) for time shifting of broadcasts or cable
programs for private and domestic use and solely for the purpose of
watching or listening at a more convenient time. The government has
decided that, in line with the policy of technological neutrality,
this section should be amended to cover all communication works,
except those available on demand. The exception explicitly relates
only to watching or listening at a more convenient time. It does
not allow home users to build up a collection or "library" of films
or music for ongoing and repeated use. Where the exception does not
apply, copying without the copyright owner's permission will
continue to constitute infringement.
Some U.S. industries, particularly producers and distributors of
music and software, have voiced concerns about New Zealand law that
allows parallel imports of certain copyrighted goods, saying such
imports make it more difficult to detect and combat piracy and erode
the value of their products in New Zealand and third-country
markets. The New Zealand Parliament in October 2003 enacted a ban
on the parallel importation of films, videos and Digital Video Discs
(DVDs) for the initial nine months after a film's international
release, but the ban does not apply to parallel importation of
music, software and books. The ban is scheduled to sunset in 2008,
unless extended.
The October 2003 legislation, which amended the Copyright Act 1994,
makes it easier to challenge copyright violations in court by
shifting the burden of proof in certain copyright infringement cases
to the defendant, who must prove that an imported film, sound
recording or computer software is not a pirated copy.
In New Zealand's draft patents legislation, a prohibition of patents
for methods of medical treatment concerns some pharmaceutical
companies. The industry also is concerned by the Cabinet's decision
in mid-2004 to halt a study on the economic impact of extending
patent terms for pharmaceuticals. The draft patents bill fails to
address the issue of patent terms for pharmaceuticals. The
pharmaceutical industry group, Researched Medicines Industry
Association of New Zealand, contends that New Zealand's effective
patent life for pharmaceuticals has substantially eroded. It
asserts that extending the effective patent term would be in line
with international best practices.
The pharmaceutical industry also is concerned by an amendment,
enacted in December 2002, to the Patents Act 1953. This amendment
states that it is not a patent infringement for a person to make,
use, exercise or vend an invention for purposes related to gaining
regulatory approval in New Zealand or other countries. This
provision can be used to effectively expedite, or "springboard," the
approval process for generic competition to products whose patents
are expiring. The pharmaceutical industry strongly opposes this
legislation.
-----------------
SERVICES BARRIERS
-----------------
Local Content Quotas
--------------------
Radio and television broadcasters have adopted voluntary local
content targets, but only after the New Zealand government made it
clear that it would otherwise pursue mandatory quotas. Although New
WELLINGTON 00000878 005 OF 007
Zealand government officials have said they are sensitive to the
implications of quotas under the WTO General Agreement on Trade in
Services (GATS), they reserve the right to impose them.
Telecommunications
------------------
U.S. industry has expressed concern about the fees charged for
completing calls using mobile networks in New Zealand, which are
among the highest in the world. After a year-long investigation
into mobile termination rates, the New Zealand regulating authority
determined in June 2005 that mobile network operators were able to
set unreasonably high rates because of limited market competition,
and called for such charges to be regulated. The Communications
Minister in August 2005 agreed with the authority's position that
the termination rates should be significantly reduced, but asked the
authority to reconsider its recommendations by examining several
issues, including commercial offers by New Zealand's two mobile
phone service providers for rate reductions and how best to ensure
that end users benefit from reductions in wholesale rates. On 21
April 2006, the Minister received the Commission's reconsideration
final report on the Schedule 3 Investigation into Regulation of
Mobile Termination. The Commission recommends regulation of the
termination of voice calls made from fixed home or business phone
lines to all mobile networks, including those using 3G technologies.
Under the Telecommunications Act 2001 the Minister may accept the
Commission's reconsidered recommendation, reject the Commission's
reconsidered recommendation, or request the Commission to reconsider
again its recommendation. In August 2006 the Ministry of Economic
Development sought cross-submissions on the submissions and a
proposed "industry solution" regarding a Commerce Commission report
that recommends regulation of mobile termination rates. The
Ministry is advising the Minister of Communications who, under the
Telecommunications Act, may accept, reject, or require the
Commission to reconsider its recommendation.
Competitors of the formerly state-owned monopoly, Telecom, were
disappointed by the New Zealand government's decision in May 2004
against unbundling the local loop. Although under competitive
pressure, Telecom still dominates the market. The Communications
Minister accepted the regulator's recommendation against ordering
Telecom to open its national fixed-line network to competitors.
Saying he aimed to increase competition in broadband services, the
Minister also agreed with the regulator's recommendation to require
bitstream unbundling, or access to Telecom's equipment by service
providers in order to sell their own broadband services.
TelstraClear, Telecom's primary land-line competitor, in November
2004 asked the regulator to determine the terms and conditions for
access to Telecom's unbundled bitstream service.
On May 3, 2006, the New Zealand Minister of Communications announced
a comprehensive package of reforms to improve the telecommunications
regulatory environment. This package of measures was developed as
part of an overall review of the telecommunications sector
commissioned by the Minister of Communications in December 2005, and
led by the Ministry of Economic Development. A draft
Telecommunications Amendment Bill is currently before parliamentary
Select Committee for consideration.
The key changes to be introduced through the Bill include:
- new processes, and enhancements to existing ones, to address
specific problems encountered in the implementation of the original
Act;
- enhanced enforcement disciplines to facilitate more effective
implementation of regulatory and statutory requirements;
- further regulated services in order to promote competition in the
supply of key telecommunications services for the long term benefit
of end users; and
- information disclosure and accounting separation framework to
address information asymmetries between access providers, access
seekers and the regulator.
The key amendments that the Bill introduces are, in summary:
- introduction of a standard terms determination process and a
formal undertakings regime to ensure that access terms and
conditions for regulated services are set in an effective and timely
manner;
- empowering the Commerce Commission to continuously monitor the
performance of the telecommunications sector and thereby enhance the
Commission's ability to promote effective competition in the
sector;
- addition of regulated local loop unbundling and support services
and amendment of the existing regulated bitstream service to remove
performance restrictions and clarify that it can be purchased as
"naked DSL";
WELLINGTON 00000878 006 OF 007
- introduction of enhanced enforcement mechanisms and an information
disclosure regime to ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory
obligations;
- introduction of accounting separation requirements for Telecom to
increase the transparency of its wholesale and retail operations;
- enhancing the opportunity for access seekers to apply for the
supply of designated and specified regulated services;
- changing the provisions mandating automatic expiry of regulated
services to instead require that the Commission periodically review
the need for regulation of services; and
- empowering the Minister to be able to make regulations to
establish an independent telecommunications consumer complaints
process and to set requirements relating to the provision of
emergency call services.
-------------------
INVESTMENT BARRIERS
-------------------
Investment Screening
--------------------
New Zealand screens certain types of foreign investment through the
Overseas Investment Office (OIO). Amid growing public concern about
purchases of coastal properties by foreigners, the New Zealand
government enacted legislation in August 2005 that increased
screening and monitoring of land purchases, but raised the minimum
threshold for scrutiny of proposed business purchases. Under the
legislation, the threshold for screening non-land business assets
has increased from NZ $50 million to NZ $100 million, where a
foreigner proposes to take ownership or control of 25 percent or
more of a business. Government approval is required for purchases
of land larger than 5 hectares (12.35 acres) and of land in certain
sensitive or protected areas. Any application involving land in any
form must meet a national interest test. For land purchases,
foreigners who do not intend to live in New Zealand must provide a
management proposal covering any historic, heritage, conservation or
public access matters and any economic development planned. That
proposal would have to be approved and generally made a condition of
consent. In addition, investors would be required to report
regularly on their compliance with the terms of the consent.
Overseas persons also must demonstrate the necessary experience to
manage the investment. The OIO, part of Land Information New
Zealand, took over the functions of the Overseas Investment
Commission in August 2005. The United States has raised concerns
about the continued use of this screening mechanism. New Zealand's
commitments under the GATS Agreement of the WTO are limited as a
result of New Zealand's screening program.
--------------
OTHER BARRIERS
--------------
Pharmaceuticals
---------------
The U.S. Government continued to raise concerns about New Zealand's
pharmaceutical sector policies, which do not value innovation and
discourage investment in the research and development of innovative
pharmaceutical products. New Zealand's Pharmaceutical Management
Agency (PHARMAC), a stand-alone Crown entity, administers a
Pharmaceutical Schedule that lists medicines subsidized by the New
Zealand government and the reimbursement paid for each
pharmaceutical under the national health care system. The schedule
also specifies conditions for prescribing a product listed for
reimbursement. PHARMAC accounts for 73 percent of New Zealand's
expenditures on prescription drugs. The government also supports
hospitals' pharmaceutical expenditures, bringing its share of total
spending on prescription drugs in the country to about 80 percent.
To counter the assertion that the Government does not value
investment in pharmaceutical research and development, District
Health Boards (DHBs - responsible for determining the allocation of
public funds for pharmaceuticals and other aspects of health care)
and PHARMAC have established a fund for the health sector that is
administered by the Health Research Council. More broadly, companies
invest $20-40 million in New Zealand-based pharmaceutical research,
in addition to the $73 million Health Research Council funding.
This is part of the more than half a billion dollars the Government
invests in research and science each year.
New Zealand does not directly restrict the sale of non-subsidized
pharmaceuticals in the country. However, private medical insurance
companies will not cover the cost of non-subsidized medicines and
doctors are often reluctant to prescribe them to patients who would
have to pay the cost out of pocket. Thus, PHARMAC's decisions have
WELLINGTON 00000878 007 OF 007
a major impact on the availability and price of non-subsidized
medicines and the ability of pharmaceutical companies to sell their
products in the New Zealand market. The Government counters that
the coverage of pharmaceuticals by private health insurance is a
matter for those insurers to determine. The Government does not
take decisions about insurance coverage. The Government assumes
that insurers consider both affordability and cost-effectiveness of
individual pharmaceuticals when determining the coverage of their
policies.
The U.S. government has serious concerns regarding the transparency,
predictability and accountability of PHARMAC's operations. U.S.
pharmaceutical suppliers maintain that the methodology used to
determine Pharmaceutical Schedule decisions lacks transparency.
Meanwhile, PHARMAC is reviewing the way it decides funding for
high-cost medicines. Efforts have been made by PHARMAC and the
Government in recent years to increase transparency and clarify the
integrity of the appointment process to the Pharmacology and
Therapeutic Advisory Committee. PHARMAC has also recently consulted
on its methodology for cost-utility analysis and its Operating
Policies and Procedures.
Also, the Labour Party, in an agreement to form a new government in
October 2005 with support from the United Future party, agreed to
review the nation's long-term medicines strategy, including
PHARMAC's role. The next stage of this work is the post-Cabinet
release of a consultation document. The Ministry notes that this
work is looking within existing systems and policy settings to
identify where improvements can be made to ensure the best health
and disability support gains from medicines over the coming years.
The New Zealand and Australian governments signed a treaty on
December 10, 2003, to create a joint agency to regulate medical
devices, prescription and over-the-counter medicines, dietary and
nutritional supplements, and cosmetics such as sun creams. Aside
from prescription pharmaceuticals, New Zealand does not currently
regulate market entry of these products. Implementing legislation
is expected to be introduced by end of 2006. The bill is expected
to grandfather products that are already lawfully on the market at
the time of the implementation of the legislation. The bill would
grant an interim license valid for a transition period of three
years. Discussion is ongoing as to possibly extending the term of
transition to five years. It is expected that the new agency will
charge full cost-recovery fees to register products and require
additional documentation and assessments for certain products, even
if they already have U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.
Each country's government will continue to separately determine
funding of prescription medicines. U.S. manufacturers and
distributors of non-pharmaceutical therapeutic products in New
Zealand have expressed concerns that those requirements will be
overly burdensome and costly, and could serve to discourage exports
of their products from the United States to New Zealand. END TEXT.
McCormick