Cablegate: Fao Field Visit to Guatemala and Ecuador to Review

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS ROME 003757

SIPDIS

FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME

STATE FOR IO
USAID FOR ADMINISTRAOR NATSIOS, AA/EGAT, AA/LAC

USDA FOR FAS,MCHAMBLISS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID EC GT FAO
SUBJECT: FAO FIELD VISIT TO GUATEMALA AND ECUADOR TO REVIEW
SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD SECURITY PLANNED FOR OCTOBER 2002

UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 02 ROME 03757 010551Z
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SUMMARY
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1. THE FAO IS ORGANIZING AN INVITATION-ONLY FIELD VISIT TO
GUATEMALA AND ECUADOR, OCTOBER 19-21 AND 21-23,
RESPECTIVELY. THE TRIP WILL GIVE PARTICIPANTS AN
OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW FIELD-LEVEL PROGRESS IN THE FAO'S
SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR FOOD SECURITY (SPFS).

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BACKGROUND
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2. THE SPFS WAS LAUNCHED BY FAO IN 1994 AND AIMS TO ASSIST
LOW-INCOME, FOOD-DEFICIT COUNTRIES (LIFDCS) IN IMPROVING
FOOD SECURITY AND ACCESS OF TO FOOD.

3. THE PROGRAM ITSELF IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PHASES. THE
FIRST PHASE INVOLVES WATER CONTROL, INTENSIFICATION AND
DIVERSIFICATION OF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS AND AN ANALYSIS OF
RELATED SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONSTRAINTS AND SOLUTIONS. THE
SECOND PHASE ADDRESSES POLICY REFORM AND AGRICULTURAL
INVESTMENT.

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TARGET AUDIENCE
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4. FAO INVITES MINISTERS FOR AGRICULTURE AND INTERNATIONAL
COOPERATION, HEADS OF LEADING NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AID
ORGAINZATIONS, PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES TO FAO, AND
UNCLASSIFIED

PAGE 03 ROME 03757 010551Z
REPRESENTATIVES OF MAJOR DONOR COUNTRIES BASED IN THE LIFDCS
TO PARTICIPATE.

5. PARTICIPANTS WILL BE REQUIRED TO COVER THEIR OWN
EXPENSES. FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL JACQUES DIOUF WILL LEAD THE
VISIT.

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NEXT STEPS
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6. FAO HAS ADDRESSED LETTERS TO USAID ADMINISTRATOR
NATSIOS, SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE VENEMAN AND OTHER SENIOR
USG OFFICIALS. IN ADDITION WORLD BANK PRESIDENT WOLFENSOHN
AND UNDP ADMINISTRATOR MARK MALLOCH BROWN HAVE BEEN INVITED.
QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FIELD VISIT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO
MR. HENRI CARSALADE, TECHNICAL COOPERATION DEPARTMENT, FAO,
(39) 0657055953.

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COMMENT
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7. WHILE PARTICIPATION BY HIGH LEVEL OFFICIALS IS WELCOME,
GIVEN THE BREVITY OF THE TRIPS TO GUATEMALA AND ECUADOR, WE
THINK IT WOULD BE BENEFICIAL FOR USAID MISSIONS AND/OR
AGRICULTURAL ATTACHES IN-COUNTRY OR IN THE REGION TO TAKE
PART IN THIS FIELD VISIT. TAMLYN

UNCLASSIFIED

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2002ROME03757 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

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