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 07SINGAPORE996, FTA AT YEAR THREE - ZEROING IN ON COMMITMENTS
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. #07SINGAPORE996.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07SINGAPORE996 | 2007-05-24 03:50 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Singapore |
VZCZCXRO4882
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHGP #0996/01 1440350
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 240350Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3192
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHDC
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUEAWJA/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC
RUEAORC/US CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION WASHINGTON DC
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2519
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 1897
RUEHUL/AMEMBASSY SEOUL 4030
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 SINGAPORE 000996
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
STATE PASS USTR FOR AUSTR BWEISEL, JJENSEN, JMCHALE, VESPINEL,
AND AMATTICE
COMMERCE FOR JBAKER
FWS FOR TVANNORMAN
USDA/FAS FOR OSTA, OCRA, ONA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD EFIN EINV ECPS SENV EAGR KTEX KIPR ECON SN
SUBJECT: FTA AT YEAR THREE - ZEROING IN ON COMMITMENTS
REF: A) 06 Singapore 1119 B) Singapore 371
¶1. (SBU) Summary/Action Items: Assistant U.S. Trade
Representative Barbara Weisel singled out Singapore's continued
failure to fulfill its telecom commitments as the USG's top
priority during the third annual review of the U.S.-Singapore
Free Trade Agreement (FTA) held in Singapore May 11. While
applauding FTA implementation generally so far and the
substantial increases in trade since the FTA came into effect in
January 2004, she expressed concern that the enormous benefits
of the FTA for both economies might be overshadowed by
increasing public scrutiny in the United States of certain
outstanding implementation issues. The review agenda focused
both on implementation of the existing FTA and possible future
programs, including telecommunications, intellectual property
rights (IPR), environmental cooperation, imports of U.S. beef
and chicken products, gas sector liberalization, market access
for goods (tariff acceleration, textiles, harmonized system
revisions, etc.), a regional FTA exploratory working group,
pharmaceuticals, financial and legal services, and competition.
AUSTR Weisel and Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) Deputy
Secretary LOH Wai Keong led the respective delegations. The USG
SIPDIS
and GOS agreed to following action items:
-- Telecom: The GOS will provide a list of those companies that
have already begun building out to SingTel's multiple local
exchanges, and include specifics related to their
interconnection status.
-- Intellectual Property: The USG and GOS will convene a
digital video conference (DVC) to continue their discussions
related to Singapore's possible accession to the Anti-
Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) and enforcement of
simulcasting provisions under the Copyright Act.
The USG will provide a letter to clarify where it believes
discrepancies exist between U.S. and Singapore law governing
exemptions for sound rebroadcasts on the Internet.
The GOS will meet with the Business Software Alliance (BSA) to
assess whether the lack of whistleblower protections has
affected its members' ability to protect their IP.
-- Environment: The USG and GOS have scheduled two DVCs to help
prepare the second Plan of Action (POA) prior to the biennial
review of bilateral cooperation on the environment tentatively
scheduled for fall 2007 in Singapore.
Illegal Logging: Both sides agreed to exchange pointQof-contact
information for illegal logging issues.
-- Agriculture: The GOS agreed to encourage its officials to
meet with USDA technical experts at the earliest possible
opportunity to continue the dialogue concerning market access
for bone-in cuts of U.S. beef and sanitary standards for poultry
meat.
-- Tariff Acceleration: The USG will provide an unclassified
version of the International Trade Commission's (ITC) report
concerning Singapore's requests, if available.
-- Textile Tariff Preference Level (TPL): The GOS will submit
additional information related to its TPL request (Note: The
USG emphasized that it could not commit to additional
consideration of this matter. End note.)
-- Textile Short-Supply Request: The USG will confirm in
writing that it approved two (not one) short-supply requests in
July 2006 via an exchange of letters between USTR Schwab and
Minister for Trade and Industry LIM Hng Kiang.
-- Harmonized System of Tariffs (HS2007): The GOS will provide
a report to the USG highlighting potential issues related to
possible transposition errors and recommended solutions to
resolve them.
The USG will provide a copy of its revised tariff schedule.
SINGAPORE 00000996 002 OF 008
The USG will inform the GOS when it is prepared to begin
implementation of the revised HS2007, based on coordination with
other ASEAN countries.
-- Exploratory Working Group on Regional FTAs: The USG and GOS
agreed to establish an exploratory working group to discuss the
future of regional FTAs.
-- Pharmaceuticals: The GOS will provide additional information
about Singapore's Standard Drug List (SDL) approval process.
-- Financial Services: The GOS will provide an update
concerning plans to expand credit bureau access and membership.
The GOS will provide a response to claims made by U.S. industry
that credit cards issued by local branches of foreign banks
cannot be used to obtain cash from ATM machines.
-- Legal Services: The GOS will provide an update on strategies
for liberalizing the legal services sector after it has
completed its review of several proposals in the next few
months.
End Summary/Action Items.
FTA Benefits and Levels of Commitment
-------------------------------------
¶2. (U) AUSTR Weisel and DepSec Loh agreed that overall
implementation of the FTA in its third year continued to proceed
smoothly, with a minimum of difficult issues and substantial
benefits for both economies. AUSTR Weisel cautioned, however,
that recent U.S. media attention on Singapore in areas such as
environmental protection and cooperation -- as well as the
potential for heightened scrutiny of its record on IPR
enforcement, enhancing competition, and the screening of
transshipped cargo -- could potentially overshadow the enormous
gains achieved thus far. She noted that these news reports
questioned Singapore's commitment to fulfilling certain FTA
obligations and that the U.S.-Singapore trade relationship could
suffer damage should these issues receive wider coverage.
Singapore and the United States needed to be mindful of how they
resolved outstanding trade issues, especially as the debate in
Washington over the renewal of the President's Trade Promotion
Authority intensified. DepSec Loh said that Singapore was
equally concerned about these press reports. He stressed that
the GOS wanted to work with the USG and ASEAN to combat illegal
logging. He cited Singapore's discussion of the regional haze
issue at the United Nations in 2006 as an example of how it was
taking a leading role in resolving transnational environmental
issues.
Telecom
-------
-- Reasonable access to "last mile" leased lines (USG)
¶3. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel noted that our number-one FTA
implementation issue with Singapore was its continued failure to
fulfill obligations to offer U.S. and other facility-based
operators (FBOs) reasonable access to dominant carrier SingTel's
leased lines. She asked the GOS to reconsider its 2006 decision
that allowed SingTel to deny competitors reasonable access to
leased capacity at tandem exchanges (see below). This request
was all the more urgent in light of SingTel's June 2006
announcement that it would close 12 of its 27 local exchanges at
some unspecified time in the future, which had effectively put
FBOs' investment plans on hold. The Infocomm Development
Authority (IDA) responded that it was still assessing whether to
revise the required prior notification period SingTel must
provide before closing a local exchange from six to eighteen
months.
¶4. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel emphasized that best solution was for the
GOS to permit high-speed tandem access (i.e., access to the
dominant carriers' leased lines at economically efficient points
SINGAPORE 00000996 003 OF 008
of aggregation). In doing so, the GOS could resolve the litany
of obstacles SingTel had introduced to stymie competitors'
business plans -- some of which dated as far back as December
2003 when IDA first designated "last mile" access as a
wholesale, regulated service. IDA countered that the current
regulatory environment provided adequate provisions for
reasonable access. Although it could not confirm whether any
FBOs had taken advantage of its stated policy objective to
encourage build-out to SingTel's multiple local exchanges, IDA
offered to provide a list to the USG of those companies that it
thought had already begun doing so, to include specifics related
to their interconnection status.
¶5. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel questioned Singapore's commitment to
liberalizing its telecom sector. In the absence of a vigorous
regulatory response to SingTel's defensive actions, she worried
that Singapore's track record in the telecom sector would
constitute another issue "lurking beneath the surface" that
might come to light under scrutiny by U.S. media or lawmakers.
IDA argued that it was fully committed to increasing competition
in the telecom market and "still very committed" to the FTA and
"very watchful" of any impediments, which it would endeavor to
remove in accordance with Singapore's regulatory process. AUSTR
Weisel said that the USG did not question the integrity of the
regulatory process or IDA's commitment to it, but that SingTel
appeared to be doing its utmost to thwart GOS implementation of
this key FTA commitment. DepSec Loh noted that both sides would
need to continue their dialogue on this issue.
Intellectual Property
---------------------
-- Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) (USG)
-- Simulcasting: Exemptions for Sound Rebroadcasts on the
Internet (USG)
-- Penalties for Copyright Act (136.3A) violations (USG)
-- Whistleblower protections (USG)
-- Exemptions for circumvention of technological access controls
(e.g. lost key codes for computer activation) (USG)
¶6. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel expressed the USG's desire to conclude an
ACTA with Singapore. An ACTA would enhance existing IPR
protections under the FTA and establish new standards that
better addressed digital applications. The Ministry of Law
representative responded that the GOS had held several
consultations with the USG and was still assessing what its
obligations would be under the ACTA. It recognized that the
ACTA had been intentionally drafted in broad terms, but still
required more specifics before it could commit. MinLaw did not
foresee difficulty agreeing to the ACTA if the GOS' obligations
would be similar to those in the FTA, but said that provisions
beyond that could prove problematic. Both sides agreed that
USTR and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS)
should convene a digital video conference (DVC) to continue
discussions of the issue.
¶7. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel raised U.S. companies' difficulties with
obtaining royalties from Singapore's government-linked MediaCorp
for sound rebroadcasts on the Internet. MinLaw said it had
concluded that U.S. and Singapore law concerning exemptions for
simulcasts were "fairly compatible." It asked the USG to
provide a letter of clarification to determine where
discrepancies, if any, existed. The GOS could not direct
MediaCorp to pay royalties if they were due; rather, U.S.
companies would have to seek a court settlement. Both sides
agreed to discuss the simulcasting issue in the abovementioned
DVC.
¶8. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel highlighted a case in 2006 in which the
penalty levied on a company for illegal software use was
significantly lower than the amount it would have paid for
legitimate product and reiterated her request made at the 2006
FTA review that the GOS consider increasing deterrent penalties
under Section 136(3A) of the Copyright Act. MinLaw argued that
the judge had concluded there were mitigating factors in this
particular case that warranted the low fine. AUSTR Weisel
countered that the issue was less about the money and more about
SINGAPORE 00000996 004 OF 008
how Singapore benchmarked itself against international best
practices. Although Singapore had one of the strongest IPR
regime in Asia, it still had considerably higher piracy rates
than Japan, Australia or the United States. Stiffer penalties,
particularly if pegged to the number of infringing copies, would
offer an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the GOS'
commitment to strong IP protection, she concluded.
¶9. (SBU) In response to USG concerns about inadequate
whistleblower protections for copyright violations (also raised
at the 2006 FTA review), the GOS said that it would meet (again)
with the Business Software Alliance (BSA) to assess how this
issue affected its members' ability to protect their IP. MinLaw
expressed concern about whether whistleblower protections would
conform to Singapore's legal tradition, which allowed the
accused to face his accuser in court.
¶10. (SBU) In response to AUSTR Weisel's questioning of a
proposed exemption under Singapore's Copyright (Excluded Works)
Order 2007 for lost key codes used for activating computer
programs, MinLaw said that it had based this provision on U.S.
copyright law. It offered to discuss USG concerns further,
perhaps in the IPR DVC.
Environmental Cooperation
-------------------------
-- Combating illegal logging (USG)
-- Biennial review of environmental cooperation (USG/GOS)
-- Arowana Dragonfish (GOS)
¶11. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel reiterated the importance of enhanced
bilateral environmental cooperation, especially given the
heightened U.S. media attention to Singapore's record. She
called for continued dialogue on combating illegal logging,
including Ramin timber. She noted that, following on the U.S.-
Indonesia Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to combat illegal
logging signed in November 2006, she noted that the USG had had
received positive responses from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei
in discussions about ways to improve cooperative efforts.
DepSec Loh welcomed the regional dialogue and said that
Singapore was prepared to participate, including as co-host with
the U.S. Forest Service of a regional workshop on Ramin
scheduled for later this year. He noted that the GOS shared the
USG's commitment to environmental cooperation. Both sides
agreed to exchange pointQof-contact information on the illegal
logging issue.
¶12. (SBU) AUSTR WEISEL highlighted the need to conclude a
second Plan of Action (POA) before the biennial review of
bilateral cooperation on the environment, tentatively scheduled
for September or October 2007 in Singapore. A Ministry of the
Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) representative said that
MEWR and its USG counterparts intended to schedule two DVCs in
the run-up to the biennial review. He cited examples of steps
the GOS had taken under the current POA, including a recent MOU
signed with the American Water Works Association to facilitate
technical exchanges. Singapore also chaired the ASEAN
Sustainable Cities Working Group, which was scheduled to review
progress under its Memorandum of Intent (MOI) later this year.
In response to queries about Singapore's commitment to working
with the USG to combat vessel pollution, DepSec Loh asserted
that the GOS had taken action against domestic violators and was
also engaged in regional efforts to address this problem.
¶13. (SBU) GOS officials expressed frustration with the USG's
"inflexibility" in accommodating its request to allow imports of
Arowana Dragonfish into the United States, first raised at last
year's review. They argued that Singapore's proposal offered a
good balance between trade and conservation, in particular given
that Singapore lacked any wild population of Arowana. OES/ENV
officer explained that U.S. regulations governing trade in
endangered species -- including that such trade must enhance the
species in the wild -- made it extremely difficult to move
forward on this issue. The GOS said that it had not undertaken
any efforts to protect wild populations regionally, but noted
that Malaysia was also interested in exporting Arowana. The USG
SINGAPORE 00000996 005 OF 008
delegation said it would welcome further discussions with the
GOS about potential regional plans, but made no commitments. It
noted that Washington would be extremely reluctant to revise its
policies pertaining to trade in endangered species.
Agriculture
-----------
-- Imports of bone-in cuts of U.S. beef and offal (USG)
-- Microbial standards for poultry (USG)
¶14. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel emphasized the importance to the
President and Congress of beef market access based on OIE (World
Organization for Animal Health) guidelines. The Agriculture
Counselor thanked the GOS for its measured approach to
facilitating imports of boneless cuts of U.S. beef, which
resumed in January 2006. He asked that the Agri-Food Veterinary
Authority (AVA) move expeditiously to lift the ban on bone-in
beef and variety meats following the OIE's anticipated
classification of the United States as a "controlled-risk"
country for BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy or mad cow
disease), and based on the extremely low prevalence of BSE in
the United States. (Note: the OIE unanimously approved the
controlled risk classification for the United States during its
May 20-23 General Assembly. End Note.) AUSTR Weisel noted that
lifting the remaining import restrictions on U.S. beef was a top
priority for the President. He had engaged leaders of several
countries in the region on this issue, and they had indicated
they would move quickly to resume imports of U.S. beef following
the OIE decision. GOS officials noted that OIE guidelines were
not binding. They were open to allowing imports of bone-in
beef, but cautioned that this decision would require buy-in from
all constituents, including consumers. They doubted any further
market opening would occur before the President's expected visit
in September to attend the U.S.-ASEAN Summit. DepSec Loh said
he would convey to AVA (which was not present) the need to meet
with USDA technical experts at the earliest possible opportunity
to continue our dialogue.
¶15. (SBU) The Agriculture Counselor noted that Singapore's zero
tolerance for Salmonella Enteriditis (SE) and low tolerances for
Staph Aureus on raw poultry were not scientifically justified
and had resulted in the rejection of U.S. poultry shipments. He
asked the GOS to reconsider its overly restrictive policies and
expressed his hope that AVA's current assessment of
international standards and best practices would lead it to a
more flexible and science-based approach. DepSec Loh said he
would communicate these concerns to AVA and deferred to our
respective technical experts to determine next steps.
Energy Sector Liberalization
----------------------------
-- Intergen: Access to Electrical Power Generation Market (USG)
¶16. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel urged the GOS to move quickly to
liberalize its gas sector and to resolve longstanding issues
that had prevented U.S. energy company Intergen from entering
the market as Singapore's first independent electricity
producer. (Note: Two government-linked companies -- Gas Supply
and PowerGas -- have been engaged in arbitration since 2004 that
prevents third-party access to a section of pipeline that
carries natural gas to Singapore from Indonesia. End note.)
DepSec Loh said that the GOS was working to resolve this
problem. He expected Parliament to pass an amended Gas Act that
would pave the way for new market entrants after a second
reading May 21, and for the legislation to come into force in
June. (Note: As anticipated, Parliament approved the Gas Act
May 21. End note.) The GOS recognized the need to enhance
market access in the gas sector to ensure alternative supplies,
and MTI Minister Lim had met with Intergen's CEO on several
occasions to assure him of the GOS' support.
¶17. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel highlighted the tight deadline for
Intergen, given that the Indonesian government had indicated it
would terminate its supply contract with the company in June if
it had not yet finalized the transport of its contracted gas.
SINGAPORE 00000996 006 OF 008
She expressed her concern that one or both of the abovementioned
government-linked companies might seek legal action after the
Gas Act took effect to prevent Intergen from accessing the
disputed pipeline. She asked if the GOS be was prepared to deny
a request to stay the decision if this were the case. DepSec
Loh responded that the GOS was committed "in spirit" to an open-
access regime for gas and that it would work to address any
problems in the market.
Market Access
-------------
-- Tariff acceleration process: polycarbonates and peanuts (GOS)
-- Textiles (GOS)
- request for improved TPL
- status of "short supply" request
-- HS2007 changes (GOS)
-- Diagonal Cumulation (GOS)
-- Regional FTA exploratory group (USG/GOS)
-- Customs Administration: reduced record-keeping periods (GOS)
¶18. (SBU) Following up on Singapore's requests made at the
March 2006 second annual review, AUSTR Weisel said that the USG
was unable to agree to accelerated elimination of tariffs on
certain polycarbonates (HS3907.40.00) and increases in Tariff
Rate Quotas (TRQs) for peanuts (HS2008.11). She explained that
in public comments solicited via a Federal Register Notice
issued in August 2006, U.S. industry expressed strong opposition
to granting these requests, in part due to declining revenues
for these products domestically. According to the International
Trade Commission (ITC), which issued its findings in early 2007,
duties incurred by Singapore shippers of polycarbonates to the
United States were lower than for other countries.
Additionally, the trade balance had shifted in favor of
Singapore since the FTA came into effect, making it the largest
exporter of polycarbonates to the United States. For peanuts,
ITC questioned why Singapore had made this request since it had
significant excess capacity under both its TRQ and global
quotas. AUSTR Weisel indicated that she would provide an
unclassified version of the ITC report if one were available.
SIPDIS
¶19. (SBU) Concerning Singapore's proposed increase of its
textile tariff preference level (TPL) -- also raised at the 2006
FTA review -- AUSTR Weisel said that the USG could not agree to
this request. She noted that Congress had indicated it would
not approve any more FTAs with TPLs, given the domestic
sensitivities in the textile and apparel industries. The GOS
stressed that the TPL increase was a key issue. AUSTR Weisel
said it would be useful if the GOS could submit additional
information concerning this request and related issues in
writing, but did not commit to additional USG consideration of
this matter. With regard to a textile short-supply request that
the GOS believed was still outstanding, AUSTR Weisel agreed to
provide a letter to confirm that the USG had in fact approved
both this and another short-supply request in July 2006 via an
exchange of letters between USTR Schwab and MTI Minister Lim.
¶20. (SBU) The Joint Committee noted that both governments had
completed transposing the FTA's Goods-Specific Rules to
incorporate changes to the harmonized system of tariffs
("HS2007"). MTI representatives said that Singapore Customs
would begin implementation in October 2007. AUSTR Weisel
explained that the USG had delayed its implementation to
coordinate with other ASEAN countries and would inform the GOS
when it was prepared to begin this process. MTI said that ASEAN
had completed its first round of nomenclature revisions and that
this would not effect the October 2007 deadline. In response to
GOS concerns about possible transposition errors, AUSTR Weisel
noted that the USG had not encountered any problems previously.
The GOS offered to provide a list of its concerns and
recommended solutions to resolve them. The USG agreed to
provide its revised tariff schedule.
¶21. (SBU) The GOS inquired about the status of its proposal
made last year that Singapore, Australia, and the United States
build on their respective bilateral FTAs to introduce "diagonal
SINGAPORE 00000996 007 OF 008
cumulation" to allow accumulated rules of origin for each
others' products. AUSTR Weisel said that the USG was engaged in
a broader discussion about how to advance its FTA agenda in the
Asia-Pacific region and that diagonal cumulation might serve as
a possible model in the context of the proposed Free Trade Area
of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). She noted that, according to U.S.
rules, a diagonal cumulation provision could not be appended to
our existing FTAs with Australia and Singapore, but would
require negotiation of new agreements subject to TPA approval.
The USG could not accommodate Singapore's request to establish a
technical working group to assess the diagonal cumulation
concept, but might be willing to convene an exploratory working
group to discuss the future of regional FTAs, including the P-4
FTA between Singapore, New Zealand, Chile, and Brunei. DepSec
Loh said that the GOS would support formation of an exploratory
working group.
¶22. (SBU) With regard to Singapore's request that the USG
reduce the period required for record-keeping of import and
export-related documentation from five to three years, AUSTR
Weisel explained that this was a statutory obligation under the
Customs Act and would therefore be difficult to revise,
especially given the current security environment.
Pharmaceuticals
---------------
-- Standard Drug List (SDL) transparency (USG)
¶23. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel expressed dissatisfaction with the
Ministry of Health's response to issues raised by U.S. industry
during the Special 301 process concerning the lack of clear
procedures for getting pharmaceutical products included in
Singapore's SDL (ref B). She stressed that MOH's explanation
fell short of general transparency provisions in the FTA.
DepSec Loh agreed to provide additional information to help the
USG better understand the SDL approval process.
Medical Products Working Group
------------------------------
¶24. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel noted that the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration and the Health Services Authority (HSA) enjoyed
excellent and growing cooperation in areas such as information
exchange on product recalls and safety issues. She looked
forward to broader engagement going forward, and to the visit to
Singapore by FDA Administrator von Eschenbach in October 2007.
Financial Services
------------------
-- Credit Bureau Access (USG)
-- ATM/credit card access (USG)
¶25. (SBU) Following up on a USG request raised at the 2006 FTA
review to expand access to Singapore's credit bureaus, AUSTR
Weisel said she was encouraged to learn that the first
commercial credit company not regulated by the Monetary
Authority of Singapore (MAS) would soon be granted membership in
Credit Bureau (Singapore) Pte Ltd. DepSec Loh said he would ask
MAS (which was not present) to provide an update about when this
process would be completed and to discuss any plans to expand
membership more broadly. He would also ask MAS to respond to
claims made by U.S. industry that credit cards issued by local
branches of foreign banks could not be used to obtain cash from
ATM machines (whereas credit cards issued by foreign branches of
the same banks could be used).
Legal Services
--------------
-- Liberalizing legal services (USG)
¶26. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel urged Singapore to further liberalize
its legal services sector in line with similar efforts being
undertaken for other service industries. DepSec Loh said that
MinLaw would provide the USG with an update after it had
SINGAPORE 00000996 008 OF 008
completed its review of several proposals in the next few
months.
Competition
-----------
-- Expansion of Competition Act (USG)
¶27. (SBU) AUSTR Weisel inquired whether Singapore was reviewing
sectors exempted from the new Competition Act such as telecom,
media, and financial services. DepSec Loh noted that separate
competition codes governed these "carved-out" sectors and that
the government was currently focused on implementing the final
phase of the Competition Act concerning mergers and
acquisitions, which will come into effect in July 2007. He
claimed that initial phases of the Competition Act had been well
received by U.S. companies.
¶28. (U) AUSTR Weisel and other members of the U.S. delegation
cleared this message.
HERBOLD