64TH SESSION OF THE FAO COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 ROME 001662

SIPDIS

USDA FOR FAS/ICD/DHUGHES; FAS/ITP/PSHEIKH, DHENKE,
SSCHWARTZ; FAS/EC/MCHAMBLISS, FAS/CMP/FLEE, EBERRY
STATE FOR IO/EDA/SKOTOK AND EB/TPP
GENEVA FOR USTR

FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE U.N. AGENCIES IN ROME

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR ETRD FAO ETRDAORC FAO ETRDAORC FAO ETRDAORC FAO
SUBJECT: 64TH SESSION OF THE FAO COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY
PROBLEMS, MARCH 18-22, 2OO3


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1. SUMMARY: THE SIXTY-FOURTH SESSION OF THE U.N. FOOD
AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY
PROBLEMS (CCP) MET MARCH 18-22, 2O03 AT FAO HEADQUARTERS
IN ROME. MOST DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND CAIRNS GROUP
MEMBERS SAW THE MEETING AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HIGHLIGHT
THE NEGATIVE IMPACT OF DCVELOPED COUNTRY MARKET ACCESS
BARRIERS AND TRADE-DISTORTING DOMESTIC SUPPORT ON
DEVELOPING COUNTRY AGRICULTURE. CAIRNS GROUP COUNTRIES
AND THE EU ALSO CRITICIZED USE OF FOOD AID DURING
DISCUSSION OF REPORTING OF FOOD AID TRANSACTIONS. U.S.
DEL DEFENDED U.S. FOOD AID, PARTICULARLY IN THE FACE OF
WIDESPREAD FOOD EMERGENCIES IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, AND
SOUGHT TO BROADEN THE DEBATE TO RCFLECT THE POSITIVE
IMPACT OF AGRICULTURAL TRADE GENERALLY. CHANGES IN THE
FINAL REPORT SOUGHT BY THE UNITED STATES TO THIS EFFECT
WERE NOT SUPPORTED BY THE COMMITTEE, AND THE UNITED
STATES DISASSOCIATED FROM THE CONSENSUS ADOPTION OF THE
REPORT. THE COMMITTEE DID AGREE TO A KOREAN PROPOSAL TO
CONSIDER REFORM AND SHORTENING OF THE CCP. END SUMMARY.


2. THE U.S. DELEGATION TO THE CCP CONSISTED OF:
REPRESENTATIVE ELIZABETH BCRRY, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR
ANALYSIS, GRAIN AND FEED DIVISION, COMMODITY AND
MARKETING PROGRAMS, FAS; ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVE SARA
SCHWARTZ, INTERNATIONAL TRADE SPECIALIST, WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATION AND MULTILATERAL AFFAIRS DIVISION,
INTERNATIONAL TRADE POLICY, PAS; ADVISOR LUCY TAMLYN,
ALTERNATE PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVE, U.S. MISSION; AND
KATIE NISHIURA, ACTING AGRICULTURAL COUNSELOR, U.S.
MISSION.

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3. MR. ELHAMY ABDEL MOHAMMED MENAAM (EGYPT) WAS
ELECTED CHAIR OF THE MEETING. MR. ADIRAAN PRIJLINK
(NETHERLANDS) WAS ELECTED FIRST VICE CHAIR, AND MR.
CARLOS POZZO (VCNZUELA) WAS ELECTED SECOND VICE CHAIR.
THE DRAFTING GROUP WAS COMPOSED OF AUSTRIA (CHAIR),
CANADA (REPRESENTING NORTH AMERICA),FRANCE, GUATEMALA,
INDONESIA, MALAYSIA, MAURITANIA, NEW ZEALAND, OMAN,
QATAR, REPUBLIC OF KOREA, ROMANIA, AND SOUTH AFRICA.
THE SUBSTANTIVE AGENDA ITEMS WERE: STATE OF WORLD
AGRICULTURAL MARKETS; MEDIUM-TERM OUTLOOK FOR WORLD
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY MARKETS; POLICY DEVELOPMENTS
AFFECTING AGRICULTURAL COMMODITY MARKETS AND TRADE; AND
INTERNATIONAL ACTION ON AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND
TRADE.


4. AGENDA ITEM 3 - STATE OF WORLD AGRICULTURAL MARKETS
(CCP 03/7). THE U.S. INTERVENTION HIGHLIGHTED FACTUAL
ERRORS IN THE SECTION ON BIOTECHNOLOGY. THE UNITED
STATES SUGGESTED THAT THE FAO FOCUS FUTURE WORK ON
ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF THE EU'S TRACEABILITY
REGULATIONS ON DEVELOPING COUNTRY EXPORTS INSTEAD OF
FOCUSSING ON "BALANCING CONSUMER CONCERNS WITH
DEVELOPING COUNTRY NEEDS", AS SUGGESTED IN THE PAPER.


5. MUCH OF THE DISCUSSION AFTER THE U.S. INTERVENTION
FOCUSSED ON BIOTECHNOLOGY. THE EU EMPHASISED THAT IT
DOES NOT BAN BIOTECH PRODUCTS, HAVING APPROVED 18 EVENTS
SINCE 1991. SEVERAL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CALLED FOR PAO
TO ENGAGE IN MORE CAPACITY BUILDING EFFORTS SO THAT
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CAN GET THE FACTS ON BIOTECHNOLOGY
VERSUS PROPAGANDA FROM DIVERGENT SOURCES. OTHERS WANTED
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HELP TO DEVELOP THEIR ABILITY TO DO RISK ASSESSMENTS.


6. SEVERAL COUNTRIES (AUSTRALIA AND THE EU) TALKED
ABOUT THEIR WTO POSITIONS, WITH THE EU HIGHLIGHTING
THEIR "EVERYTHING BUT ARMS" AGREEMENT. THAILAND,
SURPRISINGLY, RATHCR THAN VOICING ITS CAIRNS GROUP
POSITION IN THE WTO, CALLED FOR THE FAO TO INITIATE A
STUDY ON HOW TO STABILIZE COMMODITY PRICES, SPECIFICALLY
CITING THE RUBBER CARTEL AS A MODEL.


7. SEVERAL COUNTRIES (B
RAZIL AND CANADA) SAID THE
PAPER MIXED UP THE DISCUSSION OF FOOD SAFETY AND FOOD
QUALITY ISSUES. CANADA SAID THAT CONSUMER CONCERNS GO
BEYOND FOOD SAFETY AND THE ENVIRONMENT AS STATED IN THE
PAPER. CANADA SUGGESTED THAT FAO FOCUS FUTURE WORK ON
ANALYSING THE IMPACT ON DEVELOPING COUNTRY EXPORTS WHEN
COUNTRIES IMPOSE NON-HEALTH RELATED REQUIREMENTS
REGARDING PRODUCT ATTRIBUTES, GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS,
AND ANIMAL WELFARE.


8. AGENDA ITEM 5 - AGRICULTURAL EXPORTS - RECENT
EVOLUTION AND CONSTRAINTS ON GROWTH (CCP 03/9). MUCH OF
THE DISCUSSION FOCUSSED ON COUNTRIES' WTO POSITIONS AND

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ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 AID-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 INL-00
DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00 E-00
UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01
L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 OPIC-01 ACE-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00 TEST-00
TRSE-00 USIE-00 EPAE-00 DRL-01 G-00 SAS-00 /009W
-------------- 577FFE 171542Z /38
R 171537Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9330
USDA FAS WASHDC 2629
USMISSION GENEVA

UNCLAS SECTION 02 OF 04 ROME 001662

SIPDIS

USDA FOR FAS/ICD/DHUGHES; FAS/ITP/PSHEIKH, DHENKE,
SSCHWARTZ; FAS/EC/MCHAMBLISS, FAS/CMP/FLEE, EBERRY
STATE FOR IO/EDA/SKOTOK AND EB/TPP
GENEVA FOR USTR

FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE U.N. AGENCIES IN ROME

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR ETRD FAO ETRDAORC FAO ETRDAORC FAO ETRDAORC FAO
SUBJECT: 64TH SESSION OF THE FAO COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY
PROBLEMS, MARCH 18-22, 2OO3

MARKET ACCESS FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. THE U.S.
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PAGE 02 ROME 01662 02 OF 04 171535Z
INTERVENTION FOCUSSED ON THE NEED FOR ALL COUNTRIES,
INCLUDING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES, TO LOWER TARIFFS. NO
OTHER COUNTRY SUPPORTED THIS POSITION. SLOVAKIA
GENERALLY SUPPORTED THE U.S. POSITION BUT WANTED SPECIAL
PROVISIONS IN THE WTO FOR COUNTRIES IN TRANSITION.


9. SEVERAL COUNTRIES REITERATED THEIR WTO PROPOSALS,
CLAIMING THAT WHATEVER WAS IN THE PROPOSAL WAS
BENEFICIAL TO DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. JAPAN AND THE EU
SUPPORTED THE IDEA THAT LOWER TARIFFS, INCLUDING THOSE
PROPOSED BY THE UNITED STATES IN THE WTO WOULD HURT
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. AUSTRALIA CALLED FOR JAPAN AND
THE EU TO BE MORE AMBITIOUS IN THE WTO AGRICULTURE
NEGOTIATIONS. AUSTRALIA, BRAZIL, MALAYSIA, SOUTH AFRICA
AND OTHER CAIRNS MEMBERS SUPPORTED THE PAPER'S PREMISE
THAT DOMESTIC SUPPORT AND HIGH TARIFFS IN DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES WERE THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF LIMITED MARKET
ACCESS AND LOW COMMODITY PRICES. SEVERAL OF THESE
COUNTRIES SUPPORTED THE PAPER'S VIEW THAT TARIFF PEAKS
AND ESCALATION PRESENTED SERIOUS CHALLENGES TO
DEVELOPING COUNTRIES' ABILITY TO EXPORT PROCESSED
PRODUCTS. THE EU EMPHASIZED THE BENEFITS OF
PREFERENTIAL TRADING AGREEMENTS. INDONESIA WANTED TO
SEE THE WTO EXCLUDE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES FROM ANY TARIFF
REDUCTIONS IN ORDER TO PROTECT DOMESTIC PRODUCERS.


10. BRAZIL PROPOSED THAT THE COMMITTEE DO A
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF "WINNERS AND LOSERS" UNDER THE
CURRENT TRADING REGIME, NOT ONLY IN TERMS OF TRADE BUT
ALSO FOREIGN DIRCCT INVESTMENTS. ARGENTINA ALSO CALLED
FOR MORE FAO FUNDING FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES TO
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PARTICIPATE IN THE CODEX ALIMENTARIUS COMMISSION AND THE
INTERIM COMMISSION ON PHYTOSANITARY MEASURES. TECHNICAL
ASSISTANCE WAS NEEDED NOT ONLY TO HELP DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES MEET STANDARDS SET BY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES, BUT
ALSO TO HELP SET STANDARDS FOR IMPORTING DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES. CANADA SUGGESTED THAT FAO ANALYSE THE IMPACT
OF STANDARDS BEING SET BY FOOD RETAILERS ON DEVELOPING
COUNTRY PRODUCERS AND EXPORTS. NIGERIA SUPPORTED
CANADA'S SUGGESTION.


11. AGENDA ITEM 5B- SOME TRADE POLICY ISSUES RELATING
TO TRENDS IN AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS IN THE CONTEXT OF FOOD
SECURITY (CCP 03/10). THE THRUST OF THE SECRETARIAT'S
PAPER WAS TO POINT OUT AN INCREASE IN IMPORT SURGES
(BROADLY DEFINED AS A 20 PERCENT INCREASE OVER THE 5-
YEAR TREND),PARTICULARLY SINCE URUGUAY ROUND
IMPLEMENTATION, AND TO ASSESS THE IMPACT OF SUCH SURGES
ON THE FOOD SECURITY OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES. THIS
ASSESSMENT WAS MADE BY COMPARING IMPORT TRENDS TO
PRODUCTION TRENDS. WHILE ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IMPORT
SURGES COULD HAVE EITHER POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE
CONSEQUENCES FOR FOOD SECURITY, THE PAPER MAINLY
FOCUSSED ON NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES FOR LOW-INCOME FOOD
DEFICIT COUNTRIES (LIFDCS),I.E. PRODUCTION IMPACT,
INABILITY TO FINANCE SUCH IMPORTS. IN PRESENTING THIS
PAPER, THE FAO SECRETARIAT POINTED OUT THAT THERE IS A
PROPOSAL FOR THE DOHA ROUND THAT RECOMMENDS A
STREAMLINED SAFEGUARD PROCEDURE FOR DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES.


12. THE U.S. INTERVENTION EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THE
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PAPER WAS MISLEADING IN THAT MOST OF THE COUNTRIES
HIGHLIGHTED IN "CASE STUDIES" CITED THEREIN WERE NOT
SUBJECT TO UR MINIMUM ACCESS DISCIPLINES, PER PARA 2 IN
ARTICLE 15 OF THE AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE. A LIST OF
THE 30 EXCLUDED COUNTRIES WAS SUBMITTED FOR THE RECORD.
MOREOVER, THE U.S. DEL POINTED OUT THA
T THE PAPER'S MAIN
PREMISE, THAT FOOD SECURITY COULD BE ENHANCED BY RAISING
IMPORT BARRIERS, RAN COUNTER TO THE BODY OF RESEARCH
CONDUCTED BY INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS, INCLUDING THE
FAO ITSELF. FINALLY, THE U.S. DEL SUGGESTED THAT THE
FAO FINE TUNE ITS RESEARCH IN THIS AREA SO THAT IT COULD
EFFECTIVELY HELP LIFDCS IN TARGETED COUNTRIES ADJUST TO
BOTH THE CHALLENGES AND THE OPPORTUNITIES OF THE WORLD'S
MORE OPEN TRADING ENVIRONMENT.


13. THE AUSTRALIAN DEL ASSERTED THAT IMPORT SURGES
WERE DUE TO PRODUCTION SUBSIDIES IN THE EU, U.S. AND
JAPAN; AND THAT SUBSIDIES IN CONJUNCTION WITH
"INAPPROPRIATE FOOD AID" DISTORTED WORLD AGRICULTURAL
MARKETS TO THE DISADVANTAGE OF LDCS (LEAST DEVELOPED
COUNTRIES). HE ALSO EXPRESSED CONCERN ABOUT THE PAPERS
SEEMING ENCOURAGEMENT OF LDCS TO INCREASE THE USE OF

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ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 AID-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 INL-00
DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00 E-00
UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01
L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 DCP-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00
OIC-02 OMB-01 OPIC-01 ACE-00 IRM-00 SSO-00 SS-00
STR-00 TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 DRL-01 G-00 SAS-00
/010W
-------------- 57800D 171543Z /38
R 171537Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9331
USDA FAS WASHDC 2630
USMISSION GENEVA

UNCLAS SECTION 03 OF 04 ROME 001662

SIPDIS

USDA FOR FAS/ICD/DHUGHES; FAS/ITP/PSHEIKH, DHENKE,
SSCHWARTZ; FAS/EC/MCHAMBLISS, FAS/CMP/FLEE, EBERRY
STATE FOR IO/EDA/SKOTOK AND EB/TPP
GENEVA FOR USTR

FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE U.N. AGENCIES IN ROME

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR ETRD FAO ETRDAORC FAO ETRDAORC FAO ETRDAORC FAO
SUBJECT: 64TH SESSION OF THE FAO COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY
PROBLEMS, MARCH 18-22, 2OO3

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PAGE 02 ROME 01662 03 OF 04 171535Z
SAFEGUARD MEASURES. THE CANADIAN DEL ECHOED AUSTRALIAN
AND U.S. CONCERN ABOUT SAFEGUARDS AND, LIKE THE U.S.,
ENCOURAGED THE SECRETARIAT TO FINE TUNE ITS ANALYSIS OF
IMPORT SURGES AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE.


14. THE JAPANESE, EU AND SOUTH KOREAN DELS UNDERSCORED
THE IMPORTANCE OF SAFEGUARD MEASURES, WITH JAPAN
PROPOSING THAT THE LEGITIMATE USE OF SUCH MEASURES BE
EXPANDED IN THE WTO. THC EU ENCOURAGED THE FAO TO SHARE
ITS PAPER WITH THE WTO AND WENT ON TO ASSERT THAT
SPECIAL SAFEGUARDS FOR LDCS SHOULD BE EXTENDED TO
DEVELOPED COUNTRIES. THE EU ALSO ENCOURAGED THE FAO TO
PROVIDE INSTITUTIONAL ASSISTANCE TO COUNTRIES THAT MIGHT
NEED TO MAKE USE OF EXISTING SAFEGUARDS. KOREA ASSERTED
THAT IMPORT SURGES HAVE HURT ITS FOOD SECURITY.


15. AGENDA ITEM 6 - INTERNATIONAL ACTION ON
AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES AND TRADE. INCLUDED IN THIS
ITEM WAS FOOD AID (CCP 03/2). THE FAO SECRETARIAT
PRESENTED A PAPER THAT LARGELY FOCUSSED ON DONOR
COUNTRIES' REPORTING OBLIGATIONS AND A SIGNIFICANT DROP
IN THE VOLUME OF FOOD AID TRANSACTIONS BEING NOTIFIED TO
THE COMMITTEE ON SURPLUS STOCKS DISPOSAL (CSSD) IN 2000
AND 2001. ISSUES RAISED BY MEMBER COUNTRIES IN THE
SEPTEMBER 2002 CSSD MEETING WERE ALSO SUMMARIZED IN THE
REPORT.


16. THE AUSTRALIAN DELEGATE CONDEMNED THE U.S.
GOVERNMCNT'S USE OF FOOD AID, ASSERTING THAT IT IS TRADE
DISTORTING, A 100 PERCENT SUBSIDY AND PRIMARILY A
SURPLUS DISPOSAL MECHANISM. HE ALSO UNDERSCORED THAT
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DISTRIBUTION VIA PRIVATE VOLUNTARY ORGANIZATIONS (PVOS)
SHOULD NOT BE USED TO AVOID POOD AID CONVENTION
OBLIGATIONS. HE PROPOSED THAT FOOD AID DONATIONS BE
MADE SOLELY IN CASH, WHEREBY THE DONOR COUNTRY WOULD
PURCHASE COMMODITIES FROM AN LDC OR EVEN A DIFFERENT
REGION OF THE RECIPIENT COUNTRY, AND THAT THE DONATION
BE FULLY A GRANT, NOT A CONCESSION LOAN, AND THAT IT NOT
BE TIED TO COMMERCIAL TRANSACTIONS. THE EU DEL, WHILE
AGREEING WITH AUSTRALIA THAT FOOD AID SHOULD BE IN FULL
GRANT FORM, NOTED THAT THE DEFINITION OF EMERGENCY FOOD
AID WAS NOT WITHIN THE PURVIEW OF THE CSSD AND SUGGESTED
THAT THE CSSD AWAIT THE RESULTS OF THE WTO NEGOTIATION
TO DETERMINE ITS ROLE. BOTH DELS STRESSED THE NEED FOR
INCREASED TRANSPARENCY. OTHER COUNTRIES WERE GENERALLY
SUPPORTIVE OF AUSTRALIA AND THE EU, INCLUDING NEW
ZEALAND, ARGENTINA, BRAZIL, HUNGARY AND MEXICO.


17. THE U.S. STATEMENT UNDERSCORED THE HUMANITARIAN
IMPERATIVE FOR FOOD AID AND RESPONDED TO POINTS MADE IN
THE PAPER REGARDING REPORTING OF FOOD AID TRANSACTIONS.
THE U.S. ALSO CALLED FOR MORE TRANSPARENCY IN FOOD AID
TRANSACTIONS FOR ALL DONORS AND ENCOURAGED AN INCREASED
ROLE FOR THE CSSD IN THE FUTURE AGREEMENT ON AGRICULTURE
WITHIN THE WTO.


18. JAPAN SUPPORTED THE U.S. STATEMENT RECOGNIZING THE
HUMANITARIAN NEED FOR FOOD AID. JAPAN ENCOURAGES A
FLEXIBLE FRAMEWORK (I.E., LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES
SHOULD RECEIVE FULL GRANTS, BUT CONCESSION TERMS SHOULD
ALSO BE ALLOWABLE IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL FOOD
AID NEEDS WOULD BE COVERED).
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19. THE LDCS WERE SILENT ON THIS TOPIC WITH THE
EXCEPTION OF INDONESIA, WHICH PRESENTED A STATEMENT
UNDERSCORING THE IMPORTANCE OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
AND THE N
EED FOR SPEEDY DELIVERY. ACKNOWLEDGING THAT
THE WTO IS TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION OF EMERGENCY FOOD
AID, THE INDONESIAN DEL UNDERSCORED THAT DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES NEED FOOD AID AND THAT COMPROMISE ON THIS
ISSUE IS REQUIRED.

20. ADOPTION OF THE REPORT. AS THE UNITED STATES WAS
NOT IN THE DRAFTING COMMITTEE (CANADA REPRESENTED NORTH
AMERICA),THE U.S. DELEGATION SOUGHT IN THE FINAL
PLENARY TO INTRODUCE CHANGES TO THE FINAL REPORT. THE
FIRST SUGGESTION SOUGHT TO REVISE A RECOMMENDATION THAT
THE FAO IDENTIFY "WINNERS AND LOSERS" FROM
"PROTECTIONISM" AND DOMESTIC SUPPORT TO MAKE THE
RECOMMENDATION LESS POLITICALLY CHARGED AND MORE
ANALYTICAL IN NATURE. THE SECOND SUGGESTION AIMED AT
BALANCING THE RECORD OF THE FOOD AID DISCUSSION TO
INCLUDE THE POSITION CXPRESSED BY THE UNITED STATES AND
OTHERS THAT FOOD AID DONATIONS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN
FOOD SECURITY AND SHOULD BE MADE IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE
FOOD AID CONVENTION AND DISCIPLINES TO BE ARTICULATED IN

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PAGE 01 ROME 01662 04 OF 04 171535Z
ACTION IO-00

INFO LOG-00 AID-00 CEA-01 CIAE-00 COME-00 CTME-00 INL-00
DODE-00 ITCE-00 SRPP-00 EB-00 EXME-00 EUR-00 E-00
UTED-00 VC-00 FRB-00 H-01 TEDE-00 INR-00 ITC-01
L-00 VCE-00 AC-01 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OES-00 OIC-02
OMB-01 OPIC-01 PER-00 ACE-00 SSO-00 SS-00 STR-00
TEST-00 TRSE-00 USIE-00 DRL-01 G-00 SAS-00 /009W
-------------- 578012 171543Z /38
R 171537Z APR 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 9332
USDA FAS WASHDC 2631
USMISSION GENEVA

UNCLAS SECTION 04 OF 04 ROME 001662

SIPDIS

USDA FOR FAS/ICD/DHUGHES; FAS/ITP/PSHEIKH, DHENKE,
SSCHWARTZ; FAS/EC/MCHAMBLISS, FAS/CMP/FLEE, EBERRY
STATE FOR IO/EDA/SKOTOK AND EB/TPP
GENEVA FOR USTR

FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE U.N. AGENCIES IN ROME

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAGR EAGR EAGR ETRD FAO ETRDAORC FAO ETRDAORC FAO ETRDAORC FAO
SUBJECT: 64TH SESSION OF THE FAO COMMITTEE ON COMMODITY
PROBLEMS, MARCH 18-22, 2OO3

THE WTO AGRICULTURE NEGOTIATIONS. REGRETTABLE, OTHER
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PAGE 02 ROME 01662 04 OF 04 171535Z
COUNTRIES FOCUSSED MORE ON THE FACT THAT THE U.S. WAS
PROPOSING CHANGES IN THE PLENARY THAN ON THE SUBSTANCE
OF THE CHANGES, AND CONSENSUS COULD NOT BE REACHED ON
THE PROPOSED U.S. LANGUAGE. RECOGNIZING AFTER SOME
DISCUSSION THAT THE LIKELIHOOD OF HAVING ITS PROPOSALS
ACCEPTED WAS SLIM, THE U.S. DELEGATION INDICATED TO THE
CHAIR THAT IT WOULD NOT BLOCK CONSENSUS BUT WOULD HAVE
TO DISASSOCIATE ITSELF FROM IT. COMMENT: UNFORTUNATELY,
THE LESS THAN ADROIT CHAIR DID NOT FACILITATE, AND EVEN
HINDERED, CONSIDERATION OF THE U.S. PROPOSAL.


21. AT THE CLOSING, THE DELEGATE FROM THE REPUBLIC OF
KOREA EXPRESSED THE VIEW THAT THE CCP MEETING HAD BEEN
POORLY ORGANIZED AND NOT VERY PRODUCTIVE. HE SUGGESTED
THAT THE CCP BE FOLDED INTO PAO'S COMMITTEE ON
AGRICULTURE (COAG). THE SECRETARIAT INDICATED
WILLINGNESS TO CHANGE THE STRUCTURE OF THE CCP MEETING
AND ASKED FOR INPUT FROM COUNTRIES. THE NEXT MEETING OF
THE CCP IS SCHEDULED FOR 2OO5.
TAMLYN

UNCLASSIFIED

>
2003ROME01662 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED