Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
02ROME5134
2002-10-22 07:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSES TERM LIMITS
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 005134
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05134 01 OF 03 220746Z
FROM U.S. MISSION TO UN AGENCIES IN ROME
STATE FOR IO/EDA AND IO/S
USDA FOR FAS/HUGHES AND REICH
USDA FOR APHIS/GREIFER
PARIS FOR UNESCO, VIENNA FOR UNVIE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR FAO KUNRAORC FAO KUNRAORC FAO
SUBJECT: GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSES TERM LIMITS
REF: STATE 201776
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 ROME 005134
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05134 01 OF 03 220746Z
FROM U.S. MISSION TO UN AGENCIES IN ROME
STATE FOR IO/EDA AND IO/S
USDA FOR FAS/HUGHES AND REICH
USDA FOR APHIS/GREIFER
PARIS FOR UNESCO, VIENNA FOR UNVIE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR FAO KUNRAORC FAO KUNRAORC FAO
SUBJECT: GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSES TERM LIMITS
REF: STATE 201776
1. SUMMARY: THE GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSED TERM LIMITS ON
OCTOBER 16. GERMANY HAS REQUESTED THAT THE ISSUE BE
INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA OF THE FAO COUNCIL WHICH MEETS
OCTOBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 2. ACCORDING TO THE GROUNDWORK
DONE BY DENMARK AS PRESIDENT OF THE EU, THERE IS
CONSIDERABLE OPPOSITION TO THIS INITIATIVE, ESPECIALLY
FROM AFRICANS WHO SEE IT AS AN EFFORT TO UNSEAT THE
CURRENT AFRICAN DG. MEMBERS APPLAUDED THE US DEMARCHE
AIMED AT SOFTENING RESISTANCE TO INCLUDING TERM LIMITS ON
THE AGENDA AND SOME OFFERED TO MAKE SIMILAR DEMARCHES TO
CAPITALS OF COUNCIL MEMBER COUNTRIES. THE MOST DESIRABLE
OUTCOME OF DISCUSSION IN THE FAO COUNCIL WOULD BE
FORMATION OF AN OPEN ENDED WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS
ISSUES RELATED TO TERM LIMITS: HOW MANY TERMS, WHEN
LIMITS WOULD TAKE EFFECT, AND SHORTENING THE LENGTH OF
TERMS. END SUMMARY.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 05134 01 OF 03 220746Z
2. THE GENEVA GROUP MET OCTOBER 16 TO DISCUSS TERM
LIMITS AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES THAT WILL COME UP
AT THE FAO COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 2. THE
EU REPRESENTATIVE (DENMARK'S PERM REP) REPORTED ON
MEETINGS WITH ALL REGIONAL GROUPS IN FAO CONCERNING THE
PROPOSAL TO PLACE TERM LIMITS FOR THE DIRECTOR GENERAL ON
THE COUNCIL AGENDA. THIS IS NECESSARY TO LAUNCH
DISCUSSION IN TIME FOR A DECISION BY THE FAO CONFERENCE
IN 2003. THE OECD GROUP, INCLUDING EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA
(US AND CANADA) THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (MAINLY AUSTRALIA
AND NEW ZEALAND) AND FROM ASIA, KOREA AND JAPAN, WERE IN
FAVOR. THE LATIN AMERICA GROUP IS "OPEN TO DISCUSSION"
OF THE MATTER. (COMMENT: WE HAVE POINTED OUT TO THEM
THAT IF THE PRINCIPLE OF GEOGRAPHIC ROTATION IS
MAINTAINED, LATIN AMERICA WOULD BE IN LINE TO SELECT THE
NEXT DIRECTOR GENERAL. END COMMENT.) MOST OF THE ASIAN
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ1108
PAGE 01 ROME 05134 02 OF 03 220746Z
ACTION IO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00
INL-00 WHA-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 SS-00 TEST-00
SA-00 SAS-00 /003W
-------------- FC0CCD 220747Z /38
R 220700Z OCT 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6461
INFO AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY SOFIA
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
AMEMBASSY ACCRA
AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY MASERU
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05134 02 OF 03 220746Z
AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY LIMA
AMEMBASSY MANILA
AMEMBASSY DOHA
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY TUNIS
AMEMBASSY HARARE
USEU BRUSSELS 2865
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY SEOUL
USINT HAVANA
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 ROME 005134
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05134 02 OF 03 220746Z
FROM U.S. MISSION TO UN AGENCIES IN ROME
STATE FOR IO/EDA AND IO/S
USDA FOR FAS/HUGHES AND REICH
USDA FOR APHIS/GREIFER
PARIS FOR UNESCO, VIENNA FOR UNVIE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR FAO KUNRAORC FAO KUNRAORC FAO
SUBJECT: GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSES TERM LIMITS
REGIONAL GROUP (80 PERCENT),AND THE MIDDLE EASTERN GROUP
FAVOR DISCUSSION OF TERM LIMITS. HOWEVER THE AFRICA
GROUP IS DIVIDED.
3. THE AFRICANS ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS REFORM
INITIATIVE IS AIMED AT UNSEATING THE CURRENT DG, JACQUES
DIOUF OF SENEGAL. THEY MAY ALSO FEAR THAT A NEW DIRECTOR
GENERAL WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO SKEW THE PROGRAM EMPHASIS
OF FAO IN FAVOR OF AFRICA. (THIS BIAS IS NOT WITHOUT
MERIT SINCE AFRICA NEEDS THE MOST HELP, BUT THERE ARE
MANY POOR FARMERS IN RURAL AREAS ESPECIALLY OF OTHER
REGIONS WHO RECEIVE VERY LITTLE ASSISTANCE.) UGANDA,
SUPPORTED BY MAURITANIA, NIGERIA AND ERITREA THOUGHT THAT
TERM LIMITS WOULD BE POSITIVE FOR INSTITUTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT. MALI WAS THE MOST VOCAL OPPONENT. HE SAID
THE ISSUE WOULD TAKE THE COUNCIL'S TIME AND ATTENTION
AWAY FROM MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES LIKE FOLLOW-UP TO THE
WORLD FOOD SUMMIT: FIVE YEARS LATER AND THE MEDIUM TERM
PLAN. ZIMBABWE SAID THE AFRICAN GROUP DID NOT WANT TO
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 05134 02 OF 03 220746Z
"ABANDON" THE DG. SHE ASKED FOR A WRITTEN EXPLANATION OF
THE REASONS FOR ABOLISHING TERM LIMITS IN 1977 (WE
UNDERSTAND THAT THEN DG SAOURMA WANTED TO SERVE NOT TWO,
BUT THREE TERMS FOR A TOTAL OF 18 YEARS SO HE ENGINEERED
A CHANGE IN THE BASIC TEXTS OF THE FAO) AS WELL AS A
REPLY TO THE QUESTION, "WHY NOW?" MANY IN THE AFRICA
GROUP THOUGHT IT PREMATURE TO DISCUSS THE MATTER SINCE IT
WOULD NOT COME UP UNTIL 2011 WHEN THE DG'S THIRD TERM, IF
HE CHOOSES TO SERVE AND IS ELECTED, WOULD EXPIRE. THE EU
IS PREPARING A REPLY.
4. MEMBERS OF THE GENEVA GROUP WERE INDIGNANT THAT THE
FAO MEMBERSHIP MIGHT NOT EVEN PERMIT DISCUSSION OF TERM
LIMITS, WHICH IS ALL THAT IS AT STAKE AT PRESENT, AND
MIGHT VOTE AGAINST INCLUSION IN THE COUNCIL'S AGENDA.
THE US DEMARCHE TO CAPITALS OF COUNTRIES WHICH ARE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ1109
PAGE 01 ROME 05134 03 OF 03 220747Z
ACTION IO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00
INL-00 WHA-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 SS-00 TEST-00
SA-00 SAS-00 /003W
-------------- FC0CD6 220747Z /38
R 220700Z OCT 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6462
INFO AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY SOFIA
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
AMEMBASSY ACCRA
AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY MASERU
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05134 03 OF 03 220747Z
AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY LIMA
AMEMBASSY MANILA
AMEMBASSY DOHA
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY TUNIS
AMEMBASSY HARARE
USEU BRUSSELS 2866
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY SEOUL
USINT HAVANA
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 ROME 005134
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05134 03 OF 03 220747Z
FROM U.S. MISSION TO UN AGENCIES IN ROME
STATE FOR IO/EDA AND IO/S
USDA FOR FAS/HUGHES AND REICH
USDA FOR APHIS/GREIFER
PARIS FOR UNESCO, VIENNA FOR UNVIE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR FAO KUNRAORC FAO KUNRAORC FAO
SUBJECT: GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSES TERM LIMITS
MEMBERS OF THE FAO COUNCIL, WAS RECEIVED FAVORABLY.
CANADA AND AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD REQUEST THEIR
OWN CAPITALS TO MAKE SIMILAR DEMARCHES. THE EU HAS
ALREADY PROVIDED BACKGROUND MATERIAL TO RELEVANT CAPITALS
BUT PROMISED TO CONSIDER A MORE ACTIVE STANCE. FRANCE,
WHICH WAS LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE INITIATIVE IN
LIGHT OF FRANCE'S SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH WEST AFRICA
AND ESPECIALLY SENEGAL, GRUMBLED THAT THE ISSUE WAS TOO
COMPLEX TO DECIDE QUICKLY. HE POINTED OUT THAT BEYOND
ISSUES OF WHEN TERM LIMITS WOULD TAKE EFFECT (AND WHETHER
THE CURRENT DG WOULD BE GRANDFATHERED) THERE WERE ISSUES
OF THE NUMBER OF TERMS (WE PROPOSED TWO) AND THE LENGTH
OF TERMS (NOW SIX INSTEAD OF THE RECOMMENDED FOUR YEARS).
THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION OF WHAT TO DO IF A VOTE WERE
CALLED? CAUCUS? OR WALK OUT IN PROTEST IF WE LOSE AS WE
DID IN 1999? THE GROUP DECIDED TO RECOMMEND FORMATION OF
AN OPEN ENDED WORKING GROUP TO LOOK AT THE VARIOUS
ISSUES RAISED BY FRANCE. THAT WOULD BE THE BEST OUTCOME
TO AVOID CONFRONTATION WITH THE G-77 AND KEEP THE ISSUE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 05134 03 OF 03 220747Z
OF TERM LIMITS ALIVE.
HALL
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME05134 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05134 01 OF 03 220746Z
FROM U.S. MISSION TO UN AGENCIES IN ROME
STATE FOR IO/EDA AND IO/S
USDA FOR FAS/HUGHES AND REICH
USDA FOR APHIS/GREIFER
PARIS FOR UNESCO, VIENNA FOR UNVIE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR FAO KUNRAORC FAO KUNRAORC FAO
SUBJECT: GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSES TERM LIMITS
REF: STATE 201776
1. SUMMARY: THE GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSED TERM LIMITS ON
OCTOBER 16. GERMANY HAS REQUESTED THAT THE ISSUE BE
INCLUDED IN THE AGENDA OF THE FAO COUNCIL WHICH MEETS
OCTOBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 2. ACCORDING TO THE GROUNDWORK
DONE BY DENMARK AS PRESIDENT OF THE EU, THERE IS
CONSIDERABLE OPPOSITION TO THIS INITIATIVE, ESPECIALLY
FROM AFRICANS WHO SEE IT AS AN EFFORT TO UNSEAT THE
CURRENT AFRICAN DG. MEMBERS APPLAUDED THE US DEMARCHE
AIMED AT SOFTENING RESISTANCE TO INCLUDING TERM LIMITS ON
THE AGENDA AND SOME OFFERED TO MAKE SIMILAR DEMARCHES TO
CAPITALS OF COUNCIL MEMBER COUNTRIES. THE MOST DESIRABLE
OUTCOME OF DISCUSSION IN THE FAO COUNCIL WOULD BE
FORMATION OF AN OPEN ENDED WORKING GROUP TO DISCUSS
ISSUES RELATED TO TERM LIMITS: HOW MANY TERMS, WHEN
LIMITS WOULD TAKE EFFECT, AND SHORTENING THE LENGTH OF
TERMS. END SUMMARY.
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 05134 01 OF 03 220746Z
2. THE GENEVA GROUP MET OCTOBER 16 TO DISCUSS TERM
LIMITS AS WELL AS ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUES THAT WILL COME UP
AT THE FAO COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 28 TO NOVEMBER 2. THE
EU REPRESENTATIVE (DENMARK'S PERM REP) REPORTED ON
MEETINGS WITH ALL REGIONAL GROUPS IN FAO CONCERNING THE
PROPOSAL TO PLACE TERM LIMITS FOR THE DIRECTOR GENERAL ON
THE COUNCIL AGENDA. THIS IS NECESSARY TO LAUNCH
DISCUSSION IN TIME FOR A DECISION BY THE FAO CONFERENCE
IN 2003. THE OECD GROUP, INCLUDING EUROPE, NORTH AMERICA
(US AND CANADA) THE SOUTHWEST PACIFIC (MAINLY AUSTRALIA
AND NEW ZEALAND) AND FROM ASIA, KOREA AND JAPAN, WERE IN
FAVOR. THE LATIN AMERICA GROUP IS "OPEN TO DISCUSSION"
OF THE MATTER. (COMMENT: WE HAVE POINTED OUT TO THEM
THAT IF THE PRINCIPLE OF GEOGRAPHIC ROTATION IS
MAINTAINED, LATIN AMERICA WOULD BE IN LINE TO SELECT THE
NEXT DIRECTOR GENERAL. END COMMENT.) MOST OF THE ASIAN
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ1108
PAGE 01 ROME 05134 02 OF 03 220746Z
ACTION IO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00
INL-00 WHA-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 SS-00 TEST-00
SA-00 SAS-00 /003W
-------------- FC0CCD 220747Z /38
R 220700Z OCT 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6461
INFO AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY SOFIA
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
AMEMBASSY ACCRA
AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY MASERU
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05134 02 OF 03 220746Z
AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY LIMA
AMEMBASSY MANILA
AMEMBASSY DOHA
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY TUNIS
AMEMBASSY HARARE
USEU BRUSSELS 2865
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY SEOUL
USINT HAVANA
UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 03 ROME 005134
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05134 02 OF 03 220746Z
FROM U.S. MISSION TO UN AGENCIES IN ROME
STATE FOR IO/EDA AND IO/S
USDA FOR FAS/HUGHES AND REICH
USDA FOR APHIS/GREIFER
PARIS FOR UNESCO, VIENNA FOR UNVIE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR FAO KUNRAORC FAO KUNRAORC FAO
SUBJECT: GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSES TERM LIMITS
REGIONAL GROUP (80 PERCENT),AND THE MIDDLE EASTERN GROUP
FAVOR DISCUSSION OF TERM LIMITS. HOWEVER THE AFRICA
GROUP IS DIVIDED.
3. THE AFRICANS ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS REFORM
INITIATIVE IS AIMED AT UNSEATING THE CURRENT DG, JACQUES
DIOUF OF SENEGAL. THEY MAY ALSO FEAR THAT A NEW DIRECTOR
GENERAL WOULD NOT CONTINUE TO SKEW THE PROGRAM EMPHASIS
OF FAO IN FAVOR OF AFRICA. (THIS BIAS IS NOT WITHOUT
MERIT SINCE AFRICA NEEDS THE MOST HELP, BUT THERE ARE
MANY POOR FARMERS IN RURAL AREAS ESPECIALLY OF OTHER
REGIONS WHO RECEIVE VERY LITTLE ASSISTANCE.) UGANDA,
SUPPORTED BY MAURITANIA, NIGERIA AND ERITREA THOUGHT THAT
TERM LIMITS WOULD BE POSITIVE FOR INSTITUTIONAL
DEVELOPMENT. MALI WAS THE MOST VOCAL OPPONENT. HE SAID
THE ISSUE WOULD TAKE THE COUNCIL'S TIME AND ATTENTION
AWAY FROM MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES LIKE FOLLOW-UP TO THE
WORLD FOOD SUMMIT: FIVE YEARS LATER AND THE MEDIUM TERM
PLAN. ZIMBABWE SAID THE AFRICAN GROUP DID NOT WANT TO
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 05134 02 OF 03 220746Z
"ABANDON" THE DG. SHE ASKED FOR A WRITTEN EXPLANATION OF
THE REASONS FOR ABOLISHING TERM LIMITS IN 1977 (WE
UNDERSTAND THAT THEN DG SAOURMA WANTED TO SERVE NOT TWO,
BUT THREE TERMS FOR A TOTAL OF 18 YEARS SO HE ENGINEERED
A CHANGE IN THE BASIC TEXTS OF THE FAO) AS WELL AS A
REPLY TO THE QUESTION, "WHY NOW?" MANY IN THE AFRICA
GROUP THOUGHT IT PREMATURE TO DISCUSS THE MATTER SINCE IT
WOULD NOT COME UP UNTIL 2011 WHEN THE DG'S THIRD TERM, IF
HE CHOOSES TO SERVE AND IS ELECTED, WOULD EXPIRE. THE EU
IS PREPARING A REPLY.
4. MEMBERS OF THE GENEVA GROUP WERE INDIGNANT THAT THE
FAO MEMBERSHIP MIGHT NOT EVEN PERMIT DISCUSSION OF TERM
LIMITS, WHICH IS ALL THAT IS AT STAKE AT PRESENT, AND
MIGHT VOTE AGAINST INCLUSION IN THE COUNCIL'S AGENDA.
THE US DEMARCHE TO CAPITALS OF COUNTRIES WHICH ARE
UNCLASSIFIED
UNCLASSIFIED PTQ1109
PAGE 01 ROME 05134 03 OF 03 220747Z
ACTION IO-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AF-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00
INL-00 WHA-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 UTED-00 TEDE-00
INR-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 OES-01 OIC-02 SS-00 TEST-00
SA-00 SAS-00 /003W
-------------- FC0CD6 220747Z /38
R 220700Z OCT 02
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 6462
INFO AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA
AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN
AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
AMEMBASSY BRASILIA
AMEMBASSY SOFIA
AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY LIBREVILLE
AMEMBASSY ACCRA
AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY MASERU
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 02 ROME 05134 03 OF 03 220747Z
AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR
AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT
AMEMBASSY MEXICO
AMEMBASSY ISLAMABAD
AMEMBASSY LIMA
AMEMBASSY MANILA
AMEMBASSY DOHA
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
AMEMBASSY DAKAR
AMEMBASSY COLOMBO
AMEMBASSY DAMASCUS
AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
AMEMBASSY BANGKOK
AMEMBASSY TUNIS
AMEMBASSY HARARE
USEU BRUSSELS 2866
AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
AMEMBASSY LISBON
AMEMBASSY BERLIN
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY REYKJAVIK
AMEMBASSY OTTAWA
USMISSION UNVIE VIENNA
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
USMISSION GENEVA
AMEMBASSY TOKYO
AMEMBASSY SEOUL
USINT HAVANA
UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 03 ROME 005134
SIPDIS
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 03 ROME 05134 03 OF 03 220747Z
FROM U.S. MISSION TO UN AGENCIES IN ROME
STATE FOR IO/EDA AND IO/S
USDA FOR FAS/HUGHES AND REICH
USDA FOR APHIS/GREIFER
PARIS FOR UNESCO, VIENNA FOR UNVIE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC KUNR FAO KUNRAORC FAO KUNRAORC FAO
SUBJECT: GENEVA GROUP DISCUSSES TERM LIMITS
MEMBERS OF THE FAO COUNCIL, WAS RECEIVED FAVORABLY.
CANADA AND AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCED THEY WOULD REQUEST THEIR
OWN CAPITALS TO MAKE SIMILAR DEMARCHES. THE EU HAS
ALREADY PROVIDED BACKGROUND MATERIAL TO RELEVANT CAPITALS
BUT PROMISED TO CONSIDER A MORE ACTIVE STANCE. FRANCE,
WHICH WAS LESS THAN ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT THE INITIATIVE IN
LIGHT OF FRANCE'S SPECIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH WEST AFRICA
AND ESPECIALLY SENEGAL, GRUMBLED THAT THE ISSUE WAS TOO
COMPLEX TO DECIDE QUICKLY. HE POINTED OUT THAT BEYOND
ISSUES OF WHEN TERM LIMITS WOULD TAKE EFFECT (AND WHETHER
THE CURRENT DG WOULD BE GRANDFATHERED) THERE WERE ISSUES
OF THE NUMBER OF TERMS (WE PROPOSED TWO) AND THE LENGTH
OF TERMS (NOW SIX INSTEAD OF THE RECOMMENDED FOUR YEARS).
THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION OF WHAT TO DO IF A VOTE WERE
CALLED? CAUCUS? OR WALK OUT IN PROTEST IF WE LOSE AS WE
DID IN 1999? THE GROUP DECIDED TO RECOMMEND FORMATION OF
AN OPEN ENDED WORKING GROUP TO LOOK AT THE VARIOUS
ISSUES RAISED BY FRANCE. THAT WOULD BE THE BEST OUTCOME
TO AVOID CONFRONTATION WITH THE G-77 AND KEEP THE ISSUE
UNCLASSIFIED
PAGE 04 ROME 05134 03 OF 03 220747Z
OF TERM LIMITS ALIVE.
HALL
UNCLASSIFIED
>
2002ROME05134 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED