US embassy cable - 04ROME3767

UNCLAS ROME 003767 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
STATE FOR IO/EDA SHARON KOTOK, IO/S GEORGE ABRAHAMS, IO/EX 
CHERYL EASELY, AND IO/T; PASS TO PEACE CORPS 
USDA FOR FAS/ICD LYNNE REICH AND RICHARD HUGHES 
 
FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE UN AGENCIES 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC, EAGR, KTIA, EAID, FAO 
SUBJECT: PEACE CORPS  FAO COOPERATION: DIRECTOR GENERAL'S 
RESPONSE TO LETTER FROM AMBASSADOR TONY P. HALL 
 
REF:STATE 179092 
 
1.  The U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies for Food and 
Agriculture in Rome received a response letter to its 
September 10th, 2004 letter (reftel) regarding the 
termination of the 1962 Agreement between the United States 
and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the Use 
of Peace Corps Volunteers in FAO-Sponsored Projects. 
Director General Jacques Diouf wrote to Ambassador Hall on 
September 28th, 2004, agreeing with the termination of the 
1962 Agreement in order to anticipate a new arrangement 
t 
between the Peace Corps and FAO, which would establish a 
basis for future cooperation.  Mr. Diouf expressed his 
eagerness to sign the new agreement with Mr. G. Vasquez, 
Director, Peace Corps, as soon as a mutually convenient 
date can be identified.  Below is the full text of the 
letter. 
 
2.  The original letter is being pouched to IO/T.  A 
scanned copy has been emailed to IO/EDA (Kotok). 
 
3.  Begin text: 
 
Excellency: 
 
I have the honour to refer to your letter of 10 September 
2004 concerning recent discussions between representatives 
of the United States Peace Corps and FAO with regard to the 
ongoing Agreement between the United States of America and 
FAO governing conditions relating to the assignment of 
volunteer personnel, effected by exchange of letters in 
Rome, 23 and 29 March 1962 (the Agreement). 
 
As you mention, both parties have determined that, in 
anticipation of a new arrangement between Peace Corps and 
FAO which would establish a basis for future cooperation, 
it would be desirable to proceed with the termination of 
the 1962 Agreement.  I therefore concur with your proposal 
that the Agreement be terminated with effect from the date 
of this letter. 
 
I look forward to a new era of cooperation between the 
United States Peace Corps and FAO under the new arrangement 
and look forward to signing this agreement with Mr. G. 
Vasquez, Peace Corps, as soon as a mutually convenient date 
can be identified. 
 
Accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest 
consideration. 
 
Jacques Diouf 
 
End text. 
 
CLEVERLEY 
 
 
NNNN 
 2004ROME03767 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED