PARTNERSHIP TO CUT HUNGER AND POVERTY IN AFRICA -

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 ROME 003706 SIPDIS FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME STATE FOR U/S LARSON, AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, EUR/WE AND IO/D UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03706 01 OF 05 290926Z USAID FOR A/USAID NATSIOS, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC USDA/FAS/FOR U/S PENN AND CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID BRUSSELS FOR USAID USUN FOR LSHESTACK NSC FOR JDWOKEN OMB FOR TSTOLL PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN SUBJECT: PARTNERSHIP TO CUT HUNGER AND POVERTY IN AFRICA - ROME JUNE 11 LAUNCHING -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. USAID ADMINISTRATOR ANDREW NATSIOS, THE PRESIDENTS OF GHANA, MOZAMBIQUE AND UGANDA, STATE DEPARTMENT'S UNDERSECRETARY AL LARSON, PRESIDENT MCPHERSON OF MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY, AND OFFICIALS OF USDA AND THE WORLD BANK - JOINTLY LAUNCHED ON JUNE 11 IN ROME A MAJOR U.S.-AFRICAN CONSORTIUM TO CUT HUNGER AND RAISE INCOMES ACROSS SUB- SAHARAN AFRICA. THE PARTNERSHIP WILL FOCUS ON DEVELOPING AND TRANSFERRING SCIENCE-BASED TECHNOLOGY, PROMOTING HUMAN AND INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY BUILDING, STRENGTHENING RURAL BUSINESSES AND MARKET ACCESS, LINKING EMERGENCY AID TO LONGER-TERM DEVELOPMENT, AND IMPROVING RURAL INFRASTRUCTURE. END SUMMARY. UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03706 01 OF 05 290926Z -------------- BACKGROUND -------------- ¶2. ON JUNE 11, IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE WORLD FOOD SUMMIT, FIVE YEARS LATER, USAID CO-HOSTED A BREAKFAST OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS WITH THE PARTNERSHIP TO CUT HUNGER AND POVERTY IN AFRICA - AN ORGANIZATION THAT CONSISTS OF AFRICAN AND U.S. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR INSTITUTIONS AND INTERNATIONAL HUMANITARIAN ORGANIZATIONS. ¶3. ANDREW NATSIOS, USAID ADMINISTRATOR; PRESIDENT JOAQUIM CHISSANO, MOZAMBIQUE; PRESIDENT YOWERI MUSEVENI, UGANDA; PRESIDENT JOHN KUFUOR, GHANA; PETER MCPHERSON, PRESIDENT, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY; ALAN LARSON, UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE; AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND THE WORLD BANK ATTENDED THE BREAKFAST. ¶4. THE EVENT SERVED AS THE OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S REPORT: "NOW IS THE TIME: A PLAN TO CUT HUNGER AND POVERTY IN AFRICA." UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7608 
 PAGE 01 ROME 03706 02 OF 05 290926Z ACTION SSO-00 INFO LOG-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ANHR-00 EUR-00 E-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 IO-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 SS-00 TEST-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 /003W -------------- D17213 290932Z /38 P 290920Z JUL 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5127 INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY BERN AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY LUANDA AMEMBASSY KIGALI AMEMBASSY LUSAKA AMEMBASSY MAPUTO AMEMBASSY ACCRA AMEMBASSY HARARE AMEMBASSY KINSHASA AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY KIGALI AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA AMEMBASSY GABORONE AMEMBASSY MASERU AMEMBASSY CAIRO UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03706 02 OF 05 290926Z AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU AMEMBASSY BAMAKO AMEMBASSY BANGUI AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE AMEMBASSY MBABANE AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO AMEMBASSY DAKAR AMEMBASSY FREETOWN AMEMBASSY ASMARA AMEMBASSY CONAKRY AMEMBASSY MONROVIA AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK AMEMBASSY LOME USDA FAS WASHDC 2239 USEU BRUSSELS 2766 USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 05 ROME 003706 SIPDIS FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME STATE FOR U/S LARSON, AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, EUR/WE AND IO/D USAID FOR A/USAID NATSIOS, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC USDA/FAS/FOR U/S PENN AND CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03706 02 OF 05 290926Z BRUSSELS FOR USAID USUN FOR LSHESTACK NSC FOR JDWOKEN OMB FOR TSTOLL PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN SUBJECT: PARTNERSHIP TO CUT HUNGER AND POVERTY IN AFRICA - ROME JUNE 11 LAUNCHING -------------- THE VIEW FROM AFRICA -------------- ¶5. THE THREE AFRICAN HEADS OF STATE COMMENTED ON THE PROBLEM OF HUNGER AND POVERTY IN THEIR RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES. PRESIDENT KUFUOR OF GHANA REVIEWED HIS NATION'S FIVE PRIORITIES IN THE FIGHT TO MOVE HIS COUNTRY OUT OF POVERTY: 1) IMPROVE THE COUNTRY'S INFRASTRUCTURE; 2) MODERNIZE AGRICULTURE, PARTICULARLY IN RURAL AREAS; 3) IMPROVE UPON THE QUALITY OF HUMAN RESOURCES THROUGH EDUCATION AND AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE; 4) ADHERE TO GOOD GOVERNANCE, RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS AND PROMOTE DEMOCRACY; AND 5) DEVELOP THE PRIVATE SECTOR. ADDITIONALLY, THE GHANAIAN LEADER EMPHASIZED PRIVATE INVESTMENT AND TRADE AS AN IMPORTANT COMPONENT TOWARDS ACHIEVING LONG-TERM DEVELOPMENT. ¶6. MOZAMBICAN PRESIDENT CHISSANO STRESSED THAT AGRICULTURE IS THE BASIS OF HIS COUNTRY'S DEVELOPMENT. ALTHOUGH HE UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03706 02 OF 05 290926Z ACKNOWLEDGED THAT AGRICULTURE IN MOZAMBIQUE WAS "STILL AT A VERY LOW LEVEL," HE STRESSED MOZAMBIQUE'S POTENTIAL AND WILLINGNESS TO PARTNER ON THE NATIONAL, REGIONAL AND CONTINENTAL LEVELS. CHISSANO STRESSED IMPROVEMENT OF RURAL INFRASTRUCTURES AND NETWORKS SO THAT FOOD COMMODITY COULD BE MOVED FROM SURPLUS TO DEFICIT AREAS. HE REITERATED THE NEED TO TRAIN RURAL FARMERS AND SMALL ENTREPRENEURS IN GOOD BUSINESS PRACTICES. ¶7. UGANDAN PRESIDENT MUSEVENI SPOKE OF ADDING VALUE TO AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS AND PRODUCING FOR THE MARKET, NOT SIMPLY FOCUSING ON AGRICULTURE TO FEED THEIR POPULATIONS. ACCORDING TO MUSEVENI, "AFRICAN COUNTRIES ARE LOSING FOREIGN CURRENCY, EMPLOYMENT AND THEIR TAX BASE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT CAPTURE THE VALUE ADDED FROM THE COMMODITIES THEY PRODUCE." -------------- THE VIEW FROM AMERICA UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7610 PAGE 01 ROME 03706 03 OF 05 290927Z ACTION SSO-00 INFO LOG-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ANHR-00 EUR-00 E-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 IO-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 SS-00 TEST-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 /003W -------------- D17241 290933Z /38 P 290920Z JUL 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5128 INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY BERN AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY LUANDA AMEMBASSY KIGALI AMEMBASSY LUSAKA AMEMBASSY MAPUTO AMEMBASSY ACCRA AMEMBASSY HARARE AMEMBASSY KINSHASA AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY KIGALI AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA AMEMBASSY GABORONE AMEMBASSY MASERU AMEMBASSY CAIRO UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03706 03 OF 05 290927Z AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU AMEMBASSY BAMAKO AMEMBASSY BANGUI AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE AMEMBASSY MBABANE AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO AMEMBASSY DAKAR AMEMBASSY FREETOWN AMEMBASSY ASMARA AMEMBASSY CONAKRY AMEMBASSY MONROVIA AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK AMEMBASSY LOME USDA FAS WASHDC 2240 USEU BRUSSELS 2767 USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 05 ROME 003706 SIPDIS FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME STATE FOR U/S LARSON, AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, EUR/WE AND IO/D USAID FOR A/USAID NATSIOS, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC USDA/FAS/FOR U/S PENN AND CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03706 03 OF 05 290927Z BRUSSELS FOR USAID USUN FOR LSHESTACK NSC FOR JDWOKEN OMB FOR TSTOLL PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN SUBJECT: PARTNERSHIP TO CUT HUNGER AND POVERTY IN AFRICA - ROME JUNE 11 LAUNCHING -------------- ¶8. USAID ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS SHARED PRESIDENT MUSEVENI'S SENTIMENT REGARDING ECONOMIC GROWTH, NOTING THAT FOR MOST COUNTRIES IN AFRICA AND CENTRAL ASIA THE WAY TO ACHIEVE SUCH GROWTH IS THROUGH AGRICULTURE. NATSIOS HIGHLIGHTED THE IMPORTANCE OF INCREASING RURAL INCOMES, SPECIFICALLY FAMILY INCOMES, AS A WAY TO DEAL WITH POVERTY. FOR USAID'S PART, NATSIOS ANNOUNCED A USD 30 MILLION INCREASE THIS FISCAL YEAR FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROPOSED TO SEEK CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION TO FURTHER INCREASE USAID'S AGRICULTURAL FUNDING BY USD 70 MILLION IN FY 2003. HE STATED THAT USAID WOULD BE SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASING ITS STAFF OF AGRICULTURAL SPECIALISTS. ¶9. UNDERSECRETARY LARSON AFFIRMED THE ADMINISTRATION'S DESIRE TO HARNESS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, PARTICULARLY BIOTECHNOLOGY, TO INCREASE AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION IN AFRICA. LARSON EXPRESSED THE HOPE THAT OTHER NATIONS AND MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT BANKS WOULD REAFFIRM AGRICULTURE AS UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03706 03 OF 05 290927Z KEY IN THE FIGHT TO ALLEVIATE POVERTY. ¶10. REPRESENTING THE PARTNERSHIP, MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT PETER MCPHERSON SAID THAT WHILE ATTENTION TO AFRICA BY THE DONOR COMMUNITY HAD FALLEN DRASTICALLY IN RECENT YEARS, THE CONTINENT'S HUNGER AND POVERTY PROBLEMS HAD GOTTEN WORSE. HE URGED JOURNALISTS TO HELP BRING GREATER ATTENTION TO AFRICA'S NEEDS. ¶11. ON THE PARTNERSHIP, MCPHERSON COMMENTED THAT IT WOULD FOCUS ON FIVE VITAL AREAS: (A) STRENGTHENING PRIVATE ENTERPRISE BY BUILDING ON THE U.S. AFRICA GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY ACT TO OPEN GLOBAL MARKETS TO AFRICAN RAW AND PROCESSED AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS; (B) IMPROVING AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND TRANSFER, INCLUDING BIOTECHNOLOGY; (C) LINKING FOOD AND EMERGENCY AID TO A LONGER-TERM DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY, SUCH AS THE FOOD FOR EDUCATION INITIATIVE PROMOTED BY FORMER SENATORS GEORGE UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7614 PAGE 01 ROME 03706 04 OF 05 290927Z ACTION SSO-00 INFO LOG-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ANHR-00 EUR-00 E-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 IO-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 SS-00 TEST-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 /003W -------------- D17260 290934Z /38 P 290920Z JUL 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5129 INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY BERN AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY LUANDA AMEMBASSY KIGALI AMEMBASSY LUSAKA AMEMBASSY MAPUTO AMEMBASSY ACCRA AMEMBASSY HARARE AMEMBASSY KINSHASA AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY KIGALI UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03706 04 OF 05 290927Z AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA AMEMBASSY GABORONE AMEMBASSY MASERU AMEMBASSY CAIRO AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU AMEMBASSY BAMAKO AMEMBASSY BANGUI AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE AMEMBASSY MBABANE AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO AMEMBASSY DAKAR AMEMBASSY FREETOWN AMEMBASSY ASMARA AMEMBASSY CONAKRY AMEMBASSY MONROVIA AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK AMEMBASSY LOME USDA FAS WASHDC 2241 USEU BRUSSELS 2768 USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 05 ROME 003706 SIPDIS FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME STATE FOR U/S LARSON, AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, EUR/WE AND IO/D UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03706 04 OF 05 290927Z USAID FOR A/USAID NATSIOS, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC USDA/FAS/FOR U/S PENN AND CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID BRUSSELS FOR USAID USUN FOR LSHESTACK NSC FOR JDWOKEN OMB FOR TSTOLL PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN SUBJECT: PARTNERSHIP TO CUT HUNGER AND POVERTY IN AFRICA - ROME JUNE 11 LAUNCHING MCGOVERN AND BOB DOLE; (D) BUILDING CAPACITY AND INSTITUTIONS FOR EDUCATION, RESEARCH, POLICY DELIBERATIONS AND GOVERNANCE, INCLUDING PROPERTY RIGHTS AND THE RULE OF LAW; AND (F) CREATING INFRASTRUCTURE FOR RURAL AFRICA. -------------- BIOTECHNOLOGY -------------- ¶12. ON BIOTECHNOLOGY, MCPHERSON COMMENTED THAT THE DEVELOPED WORLD NEEDS TO PUT MORE MONEY INTO RESEARCH OF DRY LAND CROPS, SUCH AS MILLET AND YAMS, AND INTO VITAMIN-FORTIFIED GRAINS SUCH AS RICE. HE NOTED THAT TO DATE MUCH OF THE BIOTECH RESEARCH HAD BEEN CONDUCTED ON CROPS GROWN IN NORTHERN CLIMATES. USAID ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS NOTED THAT THE UNITED STATES IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST DONOR TO THE UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 04 ROME 03706 04 OF 05 290927Z CONSULTATIVE GROUP ON INTERNATIONAL AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH (CGIAR),A CONSORTIUM OF RESEARCH CENTERS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES WORKING TO DEVELOP BOTH BIOTECHNOLOGY AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGIES. HE ADDED THAT CGIAR PRODUCTS ARE EASILY AVAILABLE TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND, BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR, ARE NOT SUBJECT TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS RESTRICTIONS. HE URGED OTHER DONORS TO SUPPORT AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH IN THE DEVELOPING WORLD. -------------- FOLLOW UP -------------- ¶13. THE PARTNERSHIP INTENDS TO USE THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO ESTABLISH WORKING GROUPS AND STRENGTHENING ITS NATIONAL COMMITTEES TOWARDS IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC PROGRAMS TO UNDERTAKE WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S AFRICAN PARTNERS. COPIES OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S REPORT MAY BE OBTAINED BY CONTACTING THE PARTNERSHIP OFFICE IN WASHINGTON, D.C., AT 202-479-4501 OR FAX 202-488-0590. THE PARTNERSHIP'S HOMEPAGE CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.AFRICANHUNGER.ORG. UNCLASSIFIED UNCLASSIFIED PTQ7639 PAGE 01 ROME 03706 05 OF 05 290927Z ACTION SSO-00 INFO LOG-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 ANHR-00 EUR-00 E-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00 IO-00 NSCE-00 OIC-02 OMB-01 SS-00 TEST-00 PRM-00 SAS-00 /003W -------------- D173E2 290949Z /38 P 290920Z JUL 02 FM AMEMBASSY ROME TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5130 INFO EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY OTTAWA AMEMBASSY BERN AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY PRETORIA AMEMBASSY LUANDA AMEMBASSY KIGALI AMEMBASSY LUSAKA AMEMBASSY MAPUTO AMEMBASSY ACCRA AMEMBASSY HARARE AMEMBASSY KINSHASA AMEMBASSY ABUJA AMEMBASSY KIGALI AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA AMEMBASSY GABORONE AMEMBASSY MASERU AMEMBASSY CAIRO AMEMBASSY ABIDJAN UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 02 ROME 03706 05 OF 05 290927Z AMEMBASSY NAIROBI AMEMBASSY NDJAMENA AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU AMEMBASSY BAMAKO AMEMBASSY BANGUI AMEMBASSY BRAZZAVILLE AMEMBASSY MBABANE AMEMBASSY ANTANANARIVO AMEMBASSY DAKAR AMEMBASSY FREETOWN AMEMBASSY ASMARA AMEMBASSY CONAKRY AMEMBASSY MONROVIA AMEMBASSY WINDHOEK AMEMBASSY LOME USDA FAS WASHDC 2242 USEU BRUSSELS 2769 USMISSION GENEVA USMISSION USUN NEW YORK UNCLAS SECTION 05 OF 05 ROME 003706 SIPDIS FROM U.S. MISSION IN ROME STATE FOR U/S LARSON, AS/PRM DEWEY, PRM/P, EUR/WE AND IO/D USAID FOR A/USAID NATSIOS, AA/DCHA, AA/AFR, DCHA/FFP, PPC/DP, PPC/DC USDA/FAS/FOR U/S PENN AND CHAMBLISS/TILSWORTH GENEVA FOR RMA AND NKYLOH/USAID BRUSSELS FOR USAID UNCLASSIFIED PAGE 03 ROME 03706 05 OF 05 290927Z USUN FOR LSHESTACK NSC FOR JDWOKEN OMB FOR TSTOLL PARIS PASS TO USMISSION OECD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF EAGR AORC PREF KUNR WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN KUNR EAID WFP UN SUBJECT: PARTNERSHIP TO CUT HUNGER AND POVERTY IN AFRICA - ROME JUNE 11 LAUNCHING -------------- COMMENT -------------- ¶14. THE PARTNERSHIP'S EXECUTIVE AND ADVISORY COMMITTEE INCLUDES AFRICAN PRESIDENTS AND AMBASSADORS, U.S. CORPORATE CHIEF AND FARM INTEREST GROUPS, UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS, FOUNDATION OFFICIALS. MCPHERSON FOR EXAMPLE IS A FORMER ADMINISTRATOR OF USAID. IN USMISSION'S VIEW, ALL PRESENT AT THE PARTNERSHIP'S LAUNCHING IN ROME ON JUNE 11, CAME AWAY WITH THE FEELING THAT THIS NEW MODEL PUBLIC-PRIVATE INITIATIVE WILL MAKE A REAL, LONG-TERM DIFFERENCE IN AFRICA. ¶15. NONE OF THE PRINCIPALS INVOLVED CLEARED THIS CABLE. TAMLYN UNCLASSIFIED > 2002ROME03706 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED