Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 5268 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
QA
YE YM YI

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08LONDON2688, Lord Kerr on the U.S. - EU Transatlantic Dialogue

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.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

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. #08LONDON2688.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08LONDON2688 2008-10-24 14:02 2011-02-04 21:09 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy London
VZCZCXRO3474
RR RUEHBL RUEHED
DE RUEHLO #2688 2981422
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241422Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0197
INFO RUEHED/AMCONSUL EDINBURGH 1008
RUEHBL/AMCONSUL BELFAST 1149
RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC
RUENMEM/EU MEMBER STATES
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS LONDON 002688 

SENSITIVE SIPDIS 

E.O. 12958: N/A 

TAGS: ECON EFIN EAIR MARR ETRD PINR EU UK


SUBJECT: Lord Kerr on the U.S. - EU Transatlantic Dialogue

1.(SBU) Lord John Kerr, Deputy Chairman, Royal Dutch Shell, Advisory Council Member of Business for New Europe (BNE), and former UK Ambassador to the U.S. shared views on the changing nature of the transatlantic dialogue and climate change at a recent BNE-sponsored event.

 Transatlantic Dialogue ----------------------

2.(SBU) Lord Kerr said the likely recession in the U.S. could mean protectionist pressures would increase. One impact could be on the pending Senate ratification of the U.S.-UK Defense Trade Cooperation Treaty (DTCT), which was signed in June 2007. Kerr asserted that the DTCT may have a tough time getting ratified in what he characterized as a more protectionist atmosphere. Likewise, the "open skies" civil aviation negotiations may be in for similar scrutiny and difficulty, according to Kerr.

ΒΆ3. (SBU) Kerr said that in the recent financial crisis, the U.S. has not looked to the EU as if it were "in charge." As a result, Kerr said successful engagement with the EU now requires that the U.S. view the EU as an equal partner. He added that in the transatlantic dialogue the U.S. will increasingly be faced with the "collective EU position on issues." Kerr highlighted the October 18 Camp David meeting where Presidents Bush, Sarkozy and Barrosso exchanged views on the need for a coordinated global response to the economic crisis as an example of the changed nature of the relationship between the U.S. and EU. 

Climate Change --------------

4.(SBU) "The U.S. will not sign up for Kyoto" said Kerr. He also expressed doubt that the U.S. would follow the 2020 climate change targets for the EU. In his opinion, the political reality in the U.S. is that any discussion of climate change [targets and commitments] requires equality of treatment with China. Politically, no U.S. Member of Congress could support an international agreement on climate change that appeared to give China preferential treatment over the U.S, he said. LEBARON