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| Identifier: | 02ROME3214 |
|---|---|
| Wikileaks: | View 02ROME3214 at Wikileaks.org |
| Origin: | Embassy Rome |
| Created: | 2002-07-02 07:32:00 |
| Classification: | UNCLASSIFIED |
| Tags: | AORC EAID FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR EAID AORC FAO AGR |
| Redacted: | This cable was not redacted by Wikileaks. |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 003214
SIPDIS
USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK
USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03214 01 OF 05 020718Z
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, EAID, FAO, AGR, EAID AORC, FAO, AGR, EAID AORC, FAO, AGR, EAID AORC, FAO, AGR, EAID AORC, FAO, AGR
SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER
MEETING
REF: ROME 3093
1. SUMMARY: DESPITE POSTPONEMENT AND COMPETING EVENTS, THE
JUNE 10-13 WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER (WFS5YL)
MEETING WAS WELL ATTENDED AND UNMARRED BY VIOLENT PROTESTS.
47 HEADS OF STATE ATTENDED, OF WHICH TWO WERE OECD COUNTRY
LEADERS (SPAIN AND ITALY). THE U.S. DELEGATION, LED BY
SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE, ANN VENEMAN, INCLUDED USAID
SIPDIS
ADMINISTRATOR ANDREW NATSIOS AND UNDERSECRETARY FOR
ECONOMIC, BUSINESS AND AGRICULTURE AFFAIRS ALAN LARSON. THE
FAO HOSTED A MEETING OF NEPAD (NEW AFRICAN PARTNERSHIP FOR
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT) MINISTERS OF AGRICULTURE TO DISCUSS AN
FAO-DRAFTED PLAN OF ACTION FOR THE AFRICAN AGRICULTURE
SECTOR JUST PRIOR TO THE SUMMIT. NGO/CSO PARTICIPANTS (MOST
WITH A COMMON "ANTI-TRADE LIBERALIZATION, ANTI-GMO"
PLATFORM), FOUND LITTLE TO THEIR LIKING IN THE WFS5YL
OUTCOME DECLARATION WHICH ENDORSES TRADE AS AN ENGINE OF
GROWTH AND CALLS ON THE FAO TO ADVANCE RESEARCH IN
BIOTECHNOLOGY.
2. SUMMARY CONT. THE WFS5YL PROVIDED A GOOD VENUE FOR
INTRODUCING THE U.S. AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY INITIATIVE,
HIGHLIGHTING U.S. ACTIONS TO PREVENT FAMINE AND IMPROVE
NUTRITION AND PRESENTING U.S. VIEWS ON IMPROVING
AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY THROUGH BIOTECHNOLOGY (WITH
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03214 01 OF 05 020718Z
FEATURED SPEAKER U.S. NOBEL LAUREATE NORMAN BORLAUG.)
QUESTIONS FROM THE PRESS WERE PRIMARILY ON TRADE, WHICH
PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO CRITICISMS OF THE NEW
U.S. FARM BILL. WARNED BY OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES NOT TO USE
THE WFS5YL AS A PLEDGING CONFERENCE, THE FAO DIRECTOR
GENERAL (AND MANY DEVELOPING COUNTRIES) WERE NONETHELESS
DISAPPOINTED THAT IT DID NOT SUCCEED AT MOBILIZING NEW
RESOURCES FOR AGRICULTURE. END SUMMARY.
WFS5YL: WHO CAME
-----------------
3. 182 COUNTRIES ATTENDED THE JUNE 10-13 WORLD FOOD
SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER (WFS5YL)MEETING IN ROME. BILLED AS
A HEADS OF STATE-LEVEL MEETING, LESS THAN A THIRD OF FAO
MEMBER STATES (47 TOTAL) ACTUALLY SENT HEADS OF STATE OR
GOVERNMENT (THOSE WHO DID ATTEND WERE PRIMARILY FROM
AFRICA). FAO MEDIA REPORTS STATED THAT 74 HEADS OF STATE
ATTENDED, BUT THIS FIGURE INCLUDED VICE-PRIME MINISTERS,
VICE-PREMIERS AND VICE-PRESIDENTS. MOST FAO MEMBERS SENT
THEIR MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE. OECD COUNTRIES GENERALLY
FIELDED LARGE DELEGATIONS WITH EXPERTISE IN AGRICULTURE AND
DEVELOPMENT, WITH ONLY TWO OECD COUNTRIES, SPAIN AND ITALY,
REPRESENTED AT HEAD OF GOVERNMENT LEVEL. U.S. SECRETARY OF
AGRICULTURE ANN VENEMAN LED THE 34-PERSON STRONG U.S.
DELEGATION (NOT COUNTING FODAG AND EMBASSY OFFICERS), WHICH
INCLUDED USAID ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS AND STATE DEPARTMENT
UNDERSECRETARY FOR ECONOMIC, BUSINESS AND AGRICULTURE
AFFAIRS, ALAN LARSON. IN ADDITION TO CIVIL SOCIETY AND
PRIVATE SECTOR ADVISORS, THE DELEGATION ALSO INCLUDED
CONGRESSMAN TONY HALL AND CONGRESSWOMAN EVA CLAYTON.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03214 01 OF 05 020718Z
DELEGATION MEMBER MARY CHAMBLISS (USDA/FAS) SERVED AS THE
NORTH AMERICAN VICE-CHAIR OF THE WFS5YL AND ROSE BERSTEIN
(IO/EDA) SERVED ON THE CREDENTIALS COMMITTEE.
4. HEADS OF DELEGATION OPENED THE WFS5YL BY ENDORSING THE
WFS5YL DECLARATION, SUBTITLED "INTERNATIONAL ALLIANCE
AGAINST HUNGER" (REFTEL) WITHOUT DISCUSSION. THE UNITED
STATES SUBMITTED ITS RESERVATION IN WRITING (ALONG WITH A
REQUEST THAT THE RESERVATION BE PLACED AS A FOOTNOTE TO
OPERATIVE PARAGRAPH 10 OF THE DECLARATION.) THE U.S.
RESERVATION READS:
"THE UNITED STATES BELIEVES THAT THE ISSUE OF ADEQUATE FOOD
CAN ONLY BE VIEWED IN THE CONTEXT OF THE RIGHT TO A STANDARD
OF LIVING ADEQUATE FOR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AS SET FORTH
IN THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS, WHICH INCLUDES
THE OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE FOOD, CLOTHING, HOUSING, MEDICAL
CARE AND NECESSARY SOCIAL SERVICES. FURTHER, THE UNITED
STATES BELIEVES THAT THE ATTAINMENT OF THE RIGHT TO AN
ADEQUATE STANDARD OF LIVING IS A GOAL OR ASPIRATION TO BE
REALIZED PROGRESSIVELY THAT DOES NOT GIVE RISE TO ANY
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7319
PAGE 01 ROME 03214 02 OF 05 020718Z
ACTION IO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00
COME-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00
EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01
OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SAS-00 /006W
------------------C54461 020718Z /38
R 020732Z JUL 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4534
INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2197
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
AMEMBASSY ABUJA
AMEMBASSY BEIJING
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 003214
SIPDIS
USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK
USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03214 02 OF 05 020718Z
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, FAO, AGR, EAID
SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER
MEETING
INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATION OR ANY DOMESTIC LEGAL ENTITLEMENT,
AND DOES NOT DIMINISH THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF NATIONAL
GOVERNMENTS TOWARDS THEIR CITIZENS. ADDITIONALLY, THE
UNITED STATES UNDERSTANDS THE RIGHT OF ACCESS TO FOOD TO
MEAN THE OPPORTUNITY TO SECURE FOOD, AND NOT A GUARANTEED
ENTITLEMENT. CONCERNING OPERATIVE PARAGRAPH 10, WE ARE
COMMITTED TO CONCRETE ACTION TO MEET THE OBJECTIVES OF THE
WORLD FOOD SUMMIT, AND ARE CONCERNED THAT STERILE DEBATE
OVER "VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES" WOULD DISTRACT ATTENTION FROM
THE REAL WORK OF REDUCING POVERTY AND HUNGER."
WFS5YL PLENARY STATEMENTS
--------------------------
5. THE U.S. PLENARY STATEMENT, DELIVERED BY SECRETARY
VENEMAN, HIGHLIGHTED U.S. EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL
PRODUCTIVITY, NUTRITION AND COMBAT FAMINE, INCLUDING THROUGH
SCHOOL FEEDING AND EMERGENCY FOOD AID (WITH SPECIAL
ATTENTION TO THE NEEDS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA). THE DEVASTATING
IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS ON FOOD SECURITY WAS STRESSED. THE
SECRETARY ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THE U.S. WOULD HOST A
SIPDIS
MINISTERIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY CONFERENCE IN EARLY 2003
TO FOCUS ON HOW DEVELOPING COUNTRIES' FOOD NEEDS CAN BE MET
THROUGH NEW FOOD AND AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES. PLENARY
STATEMENTS BY OTHER HEADS OF DELEGATION CONVERGED ON THE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03214 02 OF 05 020718Z
FOLLOWING THEMES:
-- THE NEED TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO TRADE (ALL DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES AND CAIRNS GROUP);
-- SUPPORT FOR THE RIGHT TO FOOD (MOST COUNTRIES);
-- THE IMPACT OF HIV/AIDS (MOSTLY AFRICAN COUNTRIES);
-- THE IMPORTANCE OF ENABLING ENVIRONMENTS, GOOD GOVERNANCE
(OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES);
-- HARMFUL ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ON FOOD PRODUCTION
(ESPECIALLY SMALL ISLAND DEVELOPING COUNTRIES);
6. PLENARY STATEMENTS DID NOT ATTRACT A LARGE AUDIENCE, BUT
THE STATEMENT OF ZIMBABWEAN PRESIDENT MUGABE -- WHO TOUTED
HIS LAND RESETTLEMENT SCHEME AS CONTRIBUTING TO FOOD
SECURITY -- WAS MUCH REMARKED ON IN THE CORRIDORS. AN NGO
SPEAKER WHOSE TURN AT THE PODIUM CAME LATE IN THE EVENING OF
JUNE 12 CAUSED COMMENT AS WELL BY RIPPING UP THE WFS5YL
DECLARATION AND EATING IT TO EXPRESS HIS DISSATISFACTION
WITH THE DOCUMENT.
WFS5YL SIDE EVENTS -- REGIONAL ECONOMIC ORGANIZATIONS
"PROJECT EXCHANGE"
--------------------------------------------- ----------
7. IN A LAST MINUTE EFFORT TO MOBILIZE FUNDING FOR
PROJECTS, THE FAO ORGANIZED SOME 20 MEETINGS OF REGIONAL
ECONOMIC ORGANIZATIONS (SUCH AS MERCOSUR, ECOWAS AND SADC)
WITH A VIEW TO BRINGING TOGETHER DONORS AND RECIPIENTS TO
DISCUSS SPECIFIC PROJECT PROPOSALS AT THE REGIONAL AND SUB-
REGIONAL LEVEL. MOST OECD DONORS WERE HARD PRESSED TO
ATTEND ALL MEETINGS AT A SUITABLE LEVEL; NONE WENT WITH
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03214 02 OF 05 020718Z
CHECKBOOK IN HAND READY TO FUND PROJECTS. THERE WERE MANY
REPORTS (INCLUDING FROM INSIDE THE SECRETARIAT) OF PROBLEMS
WITH THE ORGANIZATION AND THE PREPARATION. COMMENT: ONE
OECD MEMBER REPORTED THAT THE AFRICAN GROUP (WHICH HAD SENT
MINISTERS OF AGRICULTURE TO THE SEMINARS), WAS "FURIOUS" AT
DIRECTOR GENERAL (DG) DIOUF BECAUSE HE HIMSELF DID NOT
PARTICIPATE IN THE AFRICAN SUB-REGIONAL SEMINARS, AND
BECAUSE THERE WERE FEW OECD DONORS PRESENT. CURIOUSLY, IN A
POST-WFS5YL MEETING WITH ACTING PERM REP, THE DG SAID THAT
HE FELT THE SEMINARS WERE ONE OF THE GREAT SUCCESSES OF THE
SUMMIT. END COMMENT.
WFS SIDE EVENTS CONTINUED: ROUNDTABLES, MULTISTAKEHOLDER
DIALOGUE -- NGO "DECLARATION"
--------------------------------------------- ------------
8. THE THREE ROUNDTABLES, WHERE HEADS OF DELEGATION DEBATED
THE OVERARCHING WFS5YL THEME OF "WFS PLAN OF ACTION: RESULTS
ACHIEVED, OBSTACLES MET AND MEANS OF OVERCOMING THEM" MET IN
CLOSED SESSION. USAID ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS REPRESENTED THE
U.S. AT ROUNDTABLE II. THE ROUNDTABLES GARNERED MIXED BUT
GENERALLY POSITIVE REVIEWS. PARTICIPANTS COMMENTED THAT AT
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7324
PAGE 01 ROME 03214 03 OF 05 020719Z
ACTION IO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00
COME-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00
EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01
OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SAS-00 /006W
------------------C54475 020719Z /38
R 020732Z JUL 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4535
INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2198
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
AMEMBASSY ABUJA
AMEMBASSY BEIJING
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 003214
SIPDIS
USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK
USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03214 03 OF 05 020719Z
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, FAO, AGR, EAID
SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER
MEETING
LEAST TWO OF THEM HAD A REASONABLE DIALOGUE, BUT THAT MUCH
OF THE PARTICIPATION WAS SCRIPTED.
9. ALMOST ALL PARTICIPANTS WERE DISSATISFIED WITH THE
MULTISTAKEHOLDER DIALOGUE, WHICH REPRESENTED AN EFFORT TO
BROADEN THE DISCUSSION OF THE WFS5YL OBJECTIVES BY INCLUDING
NGO/CSO REPRESENTATIVES. NGO/CSO PARTICIPANTS SPENT THE
SESSION LOBBING BROADSIDES AT THE OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES
(PRIMARILY AGAINST TRADE LIBERALIZATION AND GMO
"CONTAMINATION."). MEMBER COUNTRY DELEGATIONS (WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF THE U.S., INDIA, NORWAY, THE EC AND A FEW
OTHERS) FOR THE MOST PART DID NOT RESPOND. COMMENT: THE
OVERARCHING THEME WHICH HEADS OF DELEGATION USED AS A
STARTING POINT FOR THE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION WAS, IN
RETROSPECT, TOO BROAD TO SERVE AS A BASIS FOR MEANINGFUL
DIALOGUE BETWEEN SOME 100 COUNTRIES AND TWICE THAT NUMBER OF
NGO'S. GIVEN THE IMPORTANCE OF NGO/CSO'S IN DELIVERY OF
FOOD AID AND FOOD ASSISTANCE -- EVEN IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
-- MANY DELEGATES WERE FRUSTRATED THAT THE EVENT WAS LESS
PRODUCTIVE. THE ABSENCE OF NGO ADVOCACY ON HUMAN RIGHTS
ISSUES (OTHER THAN THE RIGHT TO FOOD) WAS ALSO NOTABLE. END
COMMENT.
10. THE FINAL NGO/CSO DECLARATION WAS AN ALMOST COMPLETE
REBUTTAL OF THE GOVERNMENT-NEGOTIATED "DECLARATION." IN THE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03214 03 OF 05 020719Z
DECLARATION (DISCUSSED REFTEL), DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, IN
PARTICULAR, HAD ATTACHED GREAT IMPORTANCE TO TRADE
LIBERALIZATION; COUNTRIES HAD ALSO AGREED THAT AGRICULTURAL
BIOTECHNOLOGY SHOULD BE PROMOTED. THE NGO DECLARATION ARGUED
THAT NUMBER OF HUNGRY WAS NOT REDUCED BECAUSE "GOVERNMENTS
CONTINUED TO PURSUE POLICIES THAT LEAD TO HUNGER AND
POLICIES THAT SUPPORT ECONOMIC LIBERALIZATION FOR THE SOUTH"
AND "IMPOSITION OF INTENSIVE...MODELS OF PRODUCTION" WHICH
HAD "FOCUSED ON SHORT-TERM PRODUCTIVITY GAINS USING HARMFUL
TECHNOLOGIES SUCH AS GMO'S." THE NGO DEMONSTRATIONS THAT
TOOK PLACE (WITH THE APPROVAL OF THE CITY OF ROME) WERE
PEACEFUL, BUT NOT PARTICULARLY WELL-ATTENDED. USDEL MEMBERS
PROVIDED WELL-RECEIVED DAILY BRIEFINGS TO U.S. NGOS/CSOS
OUTSIDE OF THE FAO.
U.S. SIDE EVENT ON BIOTECHNOLOGY
-------------------------------
11. THE U.S. AND THE CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL
AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (CGIAR) SPONSORED AN EVENT ON
"IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY - THE CONTRIBUTION OF
BIOTECHNOLOGY" AT THE HOTEL EXCELSIOR ON JUNE 11. A
STANDING ROOM ONLY CROWD HEARD OPENING REMARKS BY NOBEL
LAUREATE NORMAN BORLAUG, THE NIGERIAN MINISTER OF
AGRICULTURE AND SECRETARY VENEMAN. PANEL PRESENTATIONS WERE
MADE BY CHINESE RESEARCHER HUANG JIKUN (ON BT COTTON); BY
KENYAN RESEARCHER ROMANO KIOME AND BY PER PINSTRUP ANDERSON
OF THE INTERNATIONAL FOOD POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE (IFPRI).
THE EVENT GENERATED CONSIDERABLE MEDIA COVERAGE (INCLUDING
MENTION ON THE BBC MORNING NEWS, AND NPR'S EARLY EDITION).
U.S. DELEGATES RECEIVED MANY FAVORABLE COMMENTS CONCERNING
THE EVENT. THOSE WITH NEGATIVE COMMENTS (INCLUDING AN FAO
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03214 03 OF 05 020719Z
STAFFER) COMPLAINED THAT THE EVENT WAS "BIASED" AND DIDN'T
REFLECT THE "RISKS" AS WELL AS THE BENEFITS OF BIOTECH. AT
LEAST ONE CRITIC (A CLOSE MISSION CONTACT) TOLD ACTING PERM
REP THAT THE UNITED STATES WAS "NAIVE" FOR THINKING THAT A
U.S.-SPONSORED EVENT OF THIS KIND HAD ANY CREDIBILITY.
COMMENT. THIS REFLECTS THE EXTENT TO WHICH MOST EUROPEAN
AUDIENCES BELIEVE THAT THE "BENEFITS BUT RISKS" SYLLOGISM IS
THE ONLY WAY TO DISCUSS BIOTECHNOLOGY. SEE SEPTEL FOR
FURTHER DISCUSSION OF THE EVENT. END COMMENT.
SEMINAR ON RIGHT TO FOOD-- UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR BLASTS U.S.
--------------------------------------------- -----------
12. THE ITALIAN MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE CHAIRED A SEMINAR
ON THE RIGHT TO FOOD ON THE LAST DAY OF THE WFS5YL.
PARTICIPANTS WERE INVITED TO "DISCUSS WAYS IN WHICH THE
RIGHT TO ADEQUATE FOOD AND THE FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO BE
FREEDOM FROM HUNGER CAN BE IMPLEMENTED." THE SEMINAR
DISCUSSED OPERATIVE PARA 10 OF THE WFS5YL DECLARATION,
WHICH CALLS FOR THE FAO COUNCIL TO APPROVE THE SETTING UP OF
AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL BODY TO "NEGOTIATE VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES
ON THE PROGRESSIVE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO FOOD, IN THE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7326
PAGE 01 ROME 03214 04 OF 05 020719Z
ACTION IO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00
COME-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00
EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01
OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SAS-00 /006W
------------------C5447C 020719Z /38
R 020732Z JUL 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4536
INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2199
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
AMEMBASSY ABUJA
AMEMBASSY BEIJING
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 003214
SIPDIS
USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK
USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03214 04 OF 05 020719Z
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, FAO, AGR, EAID
SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER
MEETING
CONTEXT OF NATIONAL FOOD SECURITY, AND TO REPORT TO THE
COMMITTEE ON WORLD FOOD SECURITY." AS NOTED IN PARA SIX,
THE U.S. ENTERED A RESERVATION ON OPERATIVE PARAGRAPH 10 OF
THE DECLARATION.
13. WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE U.S. PARTICIPANT, SEMINAR
PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON THE
RIGHT TO FOOD, NGO/CSO REPRESENTATIVES AND GOVERNMENT
REPRESENTATIVES) ALL ENDORSED THE RIGHT TO FOOD. SOME
REGRETTED THAT THE DECLARATION DID NOT CONTAIN THE "CODE OF
CONDUCT," BUT THEY APPLAUDED THE STEP TAKEN IN THE
DECLARATION AS MOVING TOWARD THE REALIZATION OF THE RIGHT TO
FOOD. THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR, JEAN ZIEGLER, WAS
PARTICULARLY CRITICAL OF THE UNITED STATES, THE WTO AND THE
BRETTON WOODS INSTITUTIONS FOR "CONTINUED ABUSE OF ECONOMICS
AND SOCIAL RIGHTS." ZIEGLER STATED THAT THE WTO MUST
ENDORSE THE RIGHT TO FOOD SO THAT A COUNTRY SHOULD NOT BE
"FORCED TO LIBERALIZE THEIR ECONOMIES IF THEIR FOOD
SOVEREIGNTY IS NOT GUARANTEED." U.S. DEL RESPONDED THAT THE
U.S. WAS, IN FACT, A STRONG SUPPORTER OF HUMAN RIGHTS, THAT
IT WAS WELL KNOWN THAT COUNTRIES WITH FOOD SECURITY WERE
ONES WHERE CIVIL AND POLITICAL RIGHTS ARE RESPECTED, AND
THAT THE NEGOTIATION OF THE VOLUNTARY GUIDELINES WOULD
CERTAINLY GUARANTEE THE RIGHT TO FOOD FOR INTERNATIONAL
DIPLOMATS IN ROME, BUT WOULD DO LITTLE FOR THE HUNGRY PEOPLE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03214 04 OF 05 020719Z
IN THE WORLD.
WFS5YL - SPECIAL FOCUS ON AFRICA - NEPAD
-----------------------------------------
13. THE WFS5YL HAD A SPECIAL FOCUS ON AFRICA, WHICH IS THE
REGION THAT HAS SEEN FOOD SECURITY DETERIORATE THE MOST
(ALTHOUGH THE LARGEST NUMBERS OF UNDERNOURISHED ARE STILL IN
ASIA). THE FAO HAS BEEN DESIGNATED THE SECRETARIAT FOR THE
AGRICULTURAL PORTION OF THE NEW ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP FOR
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT (NEPAD), CONSISTENT WITH NEPAD LEADERS'
DECISION TO USE EXISTING MECHANISMS (RATHER THAN CREATE NEW
STRUCTURES). THE FAO DRAFTED THE FAO/NEPAD JOINT
COMPREHENSIVE AFRICA AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM (CAADP)
REPORT, WHICH CALLS FOR INVESTMENT OF USD 240 BILLION IN THE
AGRICULTURE SECTOR BETWEEN NOW AND 2015 AND IS INTENDED TO
BE DISCUSSED AT THE G8 SUMMIT IN CANADA. AFRICAN MINISTERS
MET IN ROME THE SUNDAY BEFORE THE START OF THE WFS5YL TO
DISCUSS THE DRAFT CAADP. COMMENT: THE FAO/NEPAD PROGRAM
FOR AFRICA IS PRIMARILY FOCUSSED ON GENERATING EXTERNAL
RESOURCES AND PUTS SPECIAL EMPHASIS ON CHANNELING RESOURCES
THROUGH THE FAO'S SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD SECURITY (SPFS).
THE SPFS WAS CREATED IN THE WAKE OF THE 1996 WORLD FOOD
SUMMIT TO PROMOTE SMALL-SCALE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROJECTS
(MANY STAFFED WITH TECHNICIANS FROM OTHER DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES) WORKING ON INCREASING AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTIVITY.
A 2002 EVALUATION OF SPFS HAD LITTLE POSITIVE TO SAY ABOUT
SPFS PROJECT DESIGN OR SUSTAINABILITY. END COMMENT.
14. IN A RELATED EVENT, ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS AND CIVIL
SOCIETY DELEGATE M. PETER MCPHERSON HOSTED A BREAKFAST FOR
AFRICAN LEADERS ON JUNE 11 ON THE U.S. PARTNERSHIP TO CUT
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03214 04 OF 05 020719Z
POVERTY AND HUNGER FOR AFRICA. AFRICAN PRESIDENTS CHISSANO
(MOZAMBIQUE), MUSEVENI (UGANDA) AND KUFUOR (GHANA)
PARTICIPATED IN ADDITION TO AGRICULTURE MINISTERS FROM THOSE
COUNTRIES.
WFS5YL RESULTS -- THE VIEW FROM THE FAO
---------------------------------------
15. THE FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL SAW THE WFS5YL AS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO RENEW POLITICAL COMMITMENT TO THE GOALS OF
THE 1996 WORLD FOOD SUMMIT AND MOBILIZE RESOURCES ON BEHALF
OF THE WORLD'S HUNGRY. WHILE OECD DONORS HAD LONG WARNED
HIM THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE A "PLEDGING CONFERENCE," THE DG'S
"PROJECT EXCHANGE" AS WELL AS THE ROLL-OUT OF THE FAO'S USD
24 BILLION "ANTI-HUNGER INITIATIVE" WERE CLEARLY EFFORTS TO
MOBILIZE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR AGRICULTURE -- ESPECIALLY
FOR FAO PROGRAMS SUCH AS THE SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD
SECURITY (SPFS).
16. DIOUF EXPRESSED HIS OWN DISAPPOINTMENT TO ACTING PERM
REP AFTER THE MEETING THAT THE WFS5YL HAD NOT BEEN ABLE TO
REACH AGREEMENT ON SPECIFIC FINANCIAL TARGETS FOR ASSISTANCE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7328
PAGE 01 ROME 03214 05 OF 05 020719Z
ACTION IO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00
COME-00 CTME-00 DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00
EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01 NSAE-00 OES-01
OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00
SAS-00 /006W
------------------C54482 020719Z /38
R 020732Z JUL 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 4537
INFO USDA FAS WASHDC 2200
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS
AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
AMEMBASSY ABUJA
AMEMBASSY BEIJING
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 003214
SIPDIS
USDA FOR FAS/LYNN REICH AND DICK HUGHES
STATE FOR IO/EDA ROSE BERSTEIN AND SETH WINNICK
USAID FOR RALPH CUMMINGS
PARIS FOR OECD
FROM FODAG
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 03214 05 OF 05 020719Z
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC, FAO, AGR, EAID
SUBJECT: OUTCOME OF WORLD FOOD SUMMIT:FIVE YEARS LATER
MEETING
TO AGRICULTURE. THE DG SEES HIS NEXT STEPS AS MOBILIZING
EFFORTS TO REALIZE THE SUMMIT-BLESSED "INTERNATIONAL
ALLIANCE AGAINST HUNGER" -- INTENDED TO JOIN CIVIL SOCIETY,
PRIVATE SECTOR AND GOVERNMENT EFFORTS -- AND TO PROMOTE THE
SPFS. TO THIS END, HE HAS ALREADY EMBARKED ON BILATERAL
MEETINGS WITH DONOR COUNTRIES REPRESENTATIVES IN ROME (AND
ABROAD) TO PURSUE THIS AGENDA AND CONTINUE TO SEEK TO
MOBILIZE NEW RESOURCES.
...AND THE VIEW FROM THE FAO STAFFERS
-------------------------------------
17. THE EVENT -- MEASURED IN EXPENSE AND DISRUPTION OF
STAFF WORK -- WAS NOT PARTICULARLY FRUITFUL FOR MOST FAO
STAFFERS. THEY ARE RELIEVED IT IS OVER, BUT DISAPPOINTED
WITH THE RESULTS (PARTICULARLY THE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE
"WORLD-STARVES-WHILE-DELEGATES-EAT" GENRE). FAO STAFFERS
PREPARING FOR THE WFS5YL ALSO BORE THE BRUNT OF THE DG'S
HIGHLY CENTRALIZED AND LAST-MINUTE DECISION MAKING STYLE.
WFS5YL RESULTS -- ITALY AND THE FAO
--------------------------------------------- -
18. WHILE ITALY ROYALLY BANKROLLED THE WFS5YL (FINAL
FIGURES ARE NOT YET KNOWN), NO ONE WAS MORE SURPRISED THAN
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 03214 05 OF 05 020719Z
FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL DIOUF WHEN ITALIAN PRIME MINISTER
BERLUSCONI, IN HIS CONCLUDING REMARKS, STATED THAT THE FAO
NEEDED TO GO ON A DIET AND TRIM 30 PERCENT -- JUST LIKE HIS
COMPANIES. A VISIBLY DISTRESSED DIOUF PASSED A NOTE TO THE
PRIME MINISTER, WHO, AFTER READING IT, TOLD THE AUDIENCE
THAT HE HAD JUST BEEN INFORMED THAT THE FAO HAD, IN FACT,
BEEN REDUCING. A WEEK LATER THE ITALIAN SUPPLEMENT TO THE
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE PUBLISHED AN OP-ED BY ITALIAN
PARLIAMENTARIAN DARIO RIVOLTA COMPLAINING ABOUT THE FAO'S
WASTE AND INEFFICIENCY AND THE "FAILURE OF FAO'S CURRENT
MANAGEMENT" WHICH, "WITH A BILLION PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY
SECURITY FOR THEIR FUTURE, [IS] NO LONGER ACCEPTABLE."
NEXT STOP JOHANNESBURG -- VIEWS OF ROME GENEVA GROUP
--------------------------------------------- ---
19. IN A TOUR-DE-TABLE OF GENEVA GROUP (MAJOR DONORS)
MEMBERS AFTER THE WFS5YL, THERE WAS GENERAL AGREEMENT THAT
THE WORLD BANK PRESENTATION ON RURAL DEVELOPMENT WAS THE
BEST CONCEIVED AND MOST SUBSTANTIVE PRESENTATION OF THE
WFS5YL. WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING LOW EXPECTATIONS FROM THE
OUTSET, A NUMBER OF GENEVA GROUP MEMBERS ALSO EXPRESSED
SATISFACTION WITH THE PRESS COVERAGE OF THE EVENT AND
GENERAL AWARENESS RAISING OF THE PROBLEMS OF HUNGER. EU
GENEVA GROUP MEMBERS ALSO OPINED THAT WORLD SUMMIT ON
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT (WSSD) SHOULD MAKE A MORE
SUBSTANTIVE CONTRIBUTION IN THE AREA OF AGRICULTURE
(ALTHOUGH THEY RECOGNIZE THAT THE CURRENT WSSD AGRICULTURE
SECTION IS WEAK). (COMMENT: THE CONTRIBUTION WOULD BE IN THE
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTEXT, RATHER THAN THE DEVELOPMENT CONTEXT.
END COMMENT.)
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 03214 05 OF 05 020719Z
GENERAL COMMENT
---------------
20. COMPARED TO OTHER OECD MEMBER COUNTRIES, OUR IMPRESSION
OF THE SUMMIT APPEARS SLIGHTLY MORE POSITIVE, POSSIBLY
REFLECTING THE FACT THAT THE U.S. CAME TO THE WFS5YL WITH
NEW INITIATIVES AND A RENEWED FOCUS ON AGRICULTURE. WE WERE
THUS ABLE TO STAGE SUCCESSFUL SIDE-EVENTS AND ENGAGE IN
PRODUCTIVE BILATERAL MEETINGS. THE PRESS FOCUS ON TRADE
ISSUES FREQUENTLY UPSTAGED THE DEVELOPMENT MESSAGE, BUT ALSO
PROVIDED U.S. PRINCIPALS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO
CRITICISMS OF THE U.S. FARM BILL. AS FOR DIRECTOR GENERAL
DIOUF, HIS INABILITY TO MUSTER NEW RESOURCES DIRECTLY FOR
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES MAY UNDERCUT HIS SUPPORT AMONG THOSE
COUNTRIES, AND MAY IMPACT PROSPECTS FOR A RUN AT A THIRD SIX-
YEAR TERM. END COMMENT. HEILEMAN
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME03214 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
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