Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
03ROME2349
2003-05-28 10:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Rome
Cable title:
TFIZ01: FAO AWAITING GUIDANCE ON ROLE IN
how-toThis record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 002349
SIPDIS
FODAG
STATE FOR PRM A/S DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ROME 02349 01 OF 02 281028Z
SA/INS, IO/EDA FOR SETH WINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LPANASUK
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
NSC FOR JDOWRKEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2013
TAGS: AORC EAID EAID IZ EAGRTR FAO WFP IZAORC EAGRTR FAO WFP
SUBJECT: TFIZ01: FAO AWAITING GUIDANCE ON ROLE IN
AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION OF IRAQ
REF: ROME 2102
CLASSIFIED BY: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION LUCY TAMLYN
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 ROME 002349
SIPDIS
FODAG
STATE FOR PRM A/S DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ROME 02349 01 OF 02 281028Z
SA/INS, IO/EDA FOR SETH WINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LPANASUK
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
NSC FOR JDOWRKEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2013
TAGS: AORC EAID EAID IZ EAGRTR FAO WFP IZAORC EAGRTR FAO WFP
SUBJECT: TFIZ01: FAO AWAITING GUIDANCE ON ROLE IN
AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION OF IRAQ
REF: ROME 2102
CLASSIFIED BY: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION LUCY TAMLYN
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. USDA/FAS DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR MARY
CHAMBLISS AND BABETTE GAINOR, FAS/EXPORT CREDITS, ACCOMPANIED
BY MISSION OFFICERS KATIE NISHIURA AND TIM LAVELLE, CALLED
UPON LAURENT THOMAS, CHIEF, SPECIAL EMERGENCY PROGRAMMES
SERVICE, FAO, TO DISCUSS FAO'S ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ. THOMAS
SAID THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS WAS VERY GOOD NEWS, BUT FAO IS
AWAITING GUIDANCE FROM NEW YORK ON THE UN'S ROLE IN
REHABILITATION OF THE COUNTRY. THE FUTURE OF OIL FOR FOOD
REMAINS A SOURCE OF UNCERTAINTY FOR CONTINUED FAO ACTIVITIES.
THOMAS PROMISED TO SHARE SHORTLY FAO'S DRAFT THREE-YEAR PLAN
FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN IRAQ. CHAMBLISS
RECOMMENDED THAT THOMAS FOLLOW UP WITH A VISIT TO WASHINGTON
DURING THE WEEK OF JUNE 9. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) THOMAS PROVIDED CHAMBLISS AN OVERVIEW OF FAO'S
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ROME 02349 01 OF 02 281028Z
LONGSTANDING PROGRAM IN IRAQ, MUCH AS DESCRIBED IN REFTEL,
AND NOTED RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING FAO OPERATIONS.
REGARDING UNSCR 1483. THOMAS SAID THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS
WAS VERY GOOD NEWS. IN ADDITION, HE BELIEVED THE REFERENCE
TO "HEALTH" IN THE RESOLUTION ALLOWS FAO TO PROCEED WITH
VITAL ANIMAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, AS A GENERAL
MATTER, FAO IS AWAITING GUIDANCE FROM NEW YORK ON THE UN'S
ROLE IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE COUNTRY, AND HAS PUT ON
HOLD FOR THE TIME BEING REVIEW AND RENEGOTIATION OF EXISTING
CONTRACTS. LIKEWISE, THE FUTURE OF OIL FOR FOOD (OFF),WHICH
HAS BEEN THE MAJOR SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR FAO, REMAINS A SOURCE
OF UNCERTAINTY, ALTHOUGH THOMAS SEEMED TO BELIEVE THAT OFF
WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SOME FAO PRIORITIES. THOMAS
INDICATED THAT FAO IS PREPARING ITS SUBMISSION FOR THE
REVISED UN APPEAL TO BE ISSUED IN LATE JUNE, TAKING INTO
ACCOUNT NEWLY IDENTIFIED NEEDS AND WITHDRAWING REQUESTS THAT
ARE NO LONGER APPROPRIATE (I.E., THE TIME FOR IMPLEMENTATION
HAS PASSED).
3. (C) THOMAS ALSO REPORTED THAT FAO HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO
FACILITATE PURCHASE OF UP TO 500,000 METRIC TONS (MT) OF
LOCALLY PRODUCED BARLEY AT $65/MT, AN UNPRECEDENTED ACTIVITY
FOR FAO. WHILE, ACCORDING TO THOMAS, THE MINISTRY OF TRADE
WILL BE THE BUYER OF THE BARLEY AND WILL IN TURN SELL IT FOR
ANIMAL FEED, FAO WILL ORGANIZE THE TRANSACTIONS, INCLUDING
THE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. AT THIS POINT, THOMAS EXPECTS
THESE TRANSACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT THROUGH THE BANKING
SYSTEM. HOWEVER, FAILING THAT, MAJOR SECURITY CONCERNS
EMERGE FOR FAO PERSONNEL, WHO WOULD BE CALLED UPON TO HAND
CARRY THE NECESSARY FUNDS UNDER ARMED GUARD. (NOTE: WFP HAS
BEEN ASKED, ACCORDING TO THOMAS, TO PURCHASE 1 MILLION MT OFF
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ROME 02349 01 OF 02 281028Z
WHEAT AT $105/MT. THOMAS INDICATED THAT DISEASE PROBLEMS MAY
MAKE SOME OF THE CROP UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, WHICH
WOULD POSE A DILEMMA FOR WFP.)
4. (SBU) THOMAS RAISED THE SUBJECT OF FAO'S DRAFT THREE-YEAR
PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN IRAQ, PROMISING
TO TRANSMIT IT TO MISSION OFFICERS LATER THIS WEEK. HE
EXPLAINED THAT TYPICALLY FAO DEVELOPS SUCH PLANS IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTRY'S GOVERNMENT, BUT SINCE THAT
WAS NOT THE CASE HERE, THE DOCUMENT IS A "FINAL DRAFT."
THOMAS FURTHER PROMISED THAT FAO WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE
UNITED STATES IN COMING WEEKS "DESK WORKS" OR REPORTS
COVERING THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
PORTIONS OF IRAQ. CHAMBLISS WELCOMED THE PLAN AS A POINT OF
DEPARTURE FOR AN FAO-USG DIALOGUE ON FUTURE AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ AND FAO'S EVOLVING ROLE THERE. SHE
RECOMMENDED THAT THOMAS TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON DURING THE WEEK
OF JUNE 9, WHICH WOULD ALLOW AGENCIES TIME TO REVIEW THE
PLAN. SHE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THOMAS MEET WITH DAN
AMSTUTZ, RECENTLY NAMED ADVISOR TO THE MINISTRY OF
AGRICULTURE, PRIOR TO AMSTUTZ' DEPARTURE FOR BAGHDAD IN
MID-JUNE.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ5370
PAGE 01 ROME 02349 02 OF 02 281028Z
ACTION SS-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 FDRE-01 VC-00
TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00
OES-00 OIC-02 IRM-00 SSO-00 SA-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
SAS-00 /004W
-------------- 6BBA59 281028Z /38
P 281028Z MAY 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0128
INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA PRIORITY
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
US CUSTOMS WASHDC PRIORITY
USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 3249
USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 002349
SIPDIS
FODAG
STATE FOR PRM A/S DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ROME 02349 02 OF 02 281028Z
SA/INS, IO/EDA FOR SETH WINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LPANASUK
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
NSC FOR JDOWRKEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2013
TAGS: AORC EAID EAID IZ EAGRTR FAO WFP IZAORC EAGRTR FAO WFP
SUBJECT: TFIZ01: FAO AWAITING GUIDANCE ON ROLE IN
AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION OF IRAQ
5. (C) SPEAKING GENERALLY, THOMAS STATED THAT THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGE FACING IRAQI AGRICULTURE WAS HOW TO MAKE THE
TRANSITION AWAY FROM ITS HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED, CENTRALLY
PLANNED PAST. SHOULD THE TRANSITION GO BADLY, THE POLITICAL
CONSEQUENCES COULD BE QUITE NEGATIVE. NONETHELESS, THOMAS
EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT IN ONE TO TWO YEARS, IRAQI
AGRICULTURE WOULD BE WELL ON ITS WAY TO GETTING BACK ON
TRACK. THOMAS ALSO MADE SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THE NEED FOR
FAO TO MANAGE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION THE DOWNSIZING OF ITS
ROLE IN IRAQ, INCLUDING DIVESTING ITSELF OF ITS MANY ASSETS,
HANDING SOME PROJECTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OVER TO THE NEW
AUTHORITIES, AND SHUTTING DOWN OTHERS AS APPROPRIATE.
6. (SBU) MISSION COMMENT: GIVEN THE DEPTH OF FAO EXPERIENCE
AND RESOURCES IN THE FIELD IN IRAQ, WE WOULD RECOMMEND USG
AGENCIES TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THOMAS' VISIT TO WASHINGTON.
HALL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ROME 02349 02 OF 02 281028Z
CONFIDENTIAL
>
2003ROME02349 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL
SIPDIS
FODAG
STATE FOR PRM A/S DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ROME 02349 01 OF 02 281028Z
SA/INS, IO/EDA FOR SETH WINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LPANASUK
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
NSC FOR JDOWRKEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2013
TAGS: AORC EAID EAID IZ EAGRTR FAO WFP IZAORC EAGRTR FAO WFP
SUBJECT: TFIZ01: FAO AWAITING GUIDANCE ON ROLE IN
AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION OF IRAQ
REF: ROME 2102
CLASSIFIED BY: DEPUTY CHIEF OF MISSION LUCY TAMLYN
1. (SBU) SUMMARY. USDA/FAS DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR MARY
CHAMBLISS AND BABETTE GAINOR, FAS/EXPORT CREDITS, ACCOMPANIED
BY MISSION OFFICERS KATIE NISHIURA AND TIM LAVELLE, CALLED
UPON LAURENT THOMAS, CHIEF, SPECIAL EMERGENCY PROGRAMMES
SERVICE, FAO, TO DISCUSS FAO'S ACTIVITIES IN IRAQ. THOMAS
SAID THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS WAS VERY GOOD NEWS, BUT FAO IS
AWAITING GUIDANCE FROM NEW YORK ON THE UN'S ROLE IN
REHABILITATION OF THE COUNTRY. THE FUTURE OF OIL FOR FOOD
REMAINS A SOURCE OF UNCERTAINTY FOR CONTINUED FAO ACTIVITIES.
THOMAS PROMISED TO SHARE SHORTLY FAO'S DRAFT THREE-YEAR PLAN
FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN IRAQ. CHAMBLISS
RECOMMENDED THAT THOMAS FOLLOW UP WITH A VISIT TO WASHINGTON
DURING THE WEEK OF JUNE 9. END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) THOMAS PROVIDED CHAMBLISS AN OVERVIEW OF FAO'S
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ROME 02349 01 OF 02 281028Z
LONGSTANDING PROGRAM IN IRAQ, MUCH AS DESCRIBED IN REFTEL,
AND NOTED RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AFFECTING FAO OPERATIONS.
REGARDING UNSCR 1483. THOMAS SAID THE LIFTING OF SANCTIONS
WAS VERY GOOD NEWS. IN ADDITION, HE BELIEVED THE REFERENCE
TO "HEALTH" IN THE RESOLUTION ALLOWS FAO TO PROCEED WITH
VITAL ANIMAL HEALTH ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, AS A GENERAL
MATTER, FAO IS AWAITING GUIDANCE FROM NEW YORK ON THE UN'S
ROLE IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE COUNTRY, AND HAS PUT ON
HOLD FOR THE TIME BEING REVIEW AND RENEGOTIATION OF EXISTING
CONTRACTS. LIKEWISE, THE FUTURE OF OIL FOR FOOD (OFF),WHICH
HAS BEEN THE MAJOR SOURCE OF FUNDS FOR FAO, REMAINS A SOURCE
OF UNCERTAINTY, ALTHOUGH THOMAS SEEMED TO BELIEVE THAT OFF
WOULD CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SOME FAO PRIORITIES. THOMAS
INDICATED THAT FAO IS PREPARING ITS SUBMISSION FOR THE
REVISED UN APPEAL TO BE ISSUED IN LATE JUNE, TAKING INTO
ACCOUNT NEWLY IDENTIFIED NEEDS AND WITHDRAWING REQUESTS THAT
ARE NO LONGER APPROPRIATE (I.E., THE TIME FOR IMPLEMENTATION
HAS PASSED).
3. (C) THOMAS ALSO REPORTED THAT FAO HAS BEEN REQUESTED TO
FACILITATE PURCHASE OF UP TO 500,000 METRIC TONS (MT) OF
LOCALLY PRODUCED BARLEY AT $65/MT, AN UNPRECEDENTED ACTIVITY
FOR FAO. WHILE, ACCORDING TO THOMAS, THE MINISTRY OF TRADE
WILL BE THE BUYER OF THE BARLEY AND WILL IN TURN SELL IT FOR
ANIMAL FEED, FAO WILL ORGANIZE THE TRANSACTIONS, INCLUDING
THE DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. AT THIS POINT, THOMAS EXPECTS
THESE TRANSACTIONS TO BE CARRIED OUT THROUGH THE BANKING
SYSTEM. HOWEVER, FAILING THAT, MAJOR SECURITY CONCERNS
EMERGE FOR FAO PERSONNEL, WHO WOULD BE CALLED UPON TO HAND
CARRY THE NECESSARY FUNDS UNDER ARMED GUARD. (NOTE: WFP HAS
BEEN ASKED, ACCORDING TO THOMAS, TO PURCHASE 1 MILLION MT OFF
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 04 ROME 02349 01 OF 02 281028Z
WHEAT AT $105/MT. THOMAS INDICATED THAT DISEASE PROBLEMS MAY
MAKE SOME OF THE CROP UNFIT FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION, WHICH
WOULD POSE A DILEMMA FOR WFP.)
4. (SBU) THOMAS RAISED THE SUBJECT OF FAO'S DRAFT THREE-YEAR
PLAN FOR AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT IN NORTHERN IRAQ, PROMISING
TO TRANSMIT IT TO MISSION OFFICERS LATER THIS WEEK. HE
EXPLAINED THAT TYPICALLY FAO DEVELOPS SUCH PLANS IN
CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTRY'S GOVERNMENT, BUT SINCE THAT
WAS NOT THE CASE HERE, THE DOCUMENT IS A "FINAL DRAFT."
THOMAS FURTHER PROMISED THAT FAO WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE TO THE
UNITED STATES IN COMING WEEKS "DESK WORKS" OR REPORTS
COVERING THE STATE OF AGRICULTURE IN THE CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN
PORTIONS OF IRAQ. CHAMBLISS WELCOMED THE PLAN AS A POINT OF
DEPARTURE FOR AN FAO-USG DIALOGUE ON FUTURE AGRICULTURAL
DEVELOPMENT IN IRAQ AND FAO'S EVOLVING ROLE THERE. SHE
RECOMMENDED THAT THOMAS TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON DURING THE WEEK
OF JUNE 9, WHICH WOULD ALLOW AGENCIES TIME TO REVIEW THE
PLAN. SHE ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THOMAS MEET WITH DAN
AMSTUTZ, RECENTLY NAMED ADVISOR TO THE MINISTRY OF
AGRICULTURE, PRIOR TO AMSTUTZ' DEPARTURE FOR BAGHDAD IN
MID-JUNE.
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL PTQ5370
PAGE 01 ROME 02349 02 OF 02 281028Z
ACTION SS-00
INFO LOG-00 NP-00 AGRE-00 AID-00 AMAD-00 CIAE-00 INL-00
SRPP-00 EAP-00 EB-00 EUR-00 OIGO-00 FDRE-01 VC-00
TEDE-00 INR-00 IO-00 VCE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00
OES-00 OIC-02 IRM-00 SSO-00 SA-00 PRM-00 DRL-01
SAS-00 /004W
-------------- 6BBA59 281028Z /38
P 281028Z MAY 03
FM AMEMBASSY ROME
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0128
INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ANKARA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY CANBERRA PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY KUWAIT PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY NICOSIA PRIORITY
USCINCEUR VAIHINGEN GE PRIORITY
US CUSTOMS WASHDC PRIORITY
USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY 3249
USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY
USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY
JOINT STAFF WASHDC PRIORITY
USMISSION USNATO PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 02 OF 02 ROME 002349
SIPDIS
FODAG
STATE FOR PRM A/S DEWEY, IO A/S HOLMES, EUR/NE, EUR/WE,
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 02 ROME 02349 02 OF 02 281028Z
SA/INS, IO/EDA FOR SETH WINNICK
USDA/FAS FOR U/S PENN, MCHAMBLISS, RTILSWORTH AND LPANASUK
USAID FOR ADMINISTRATOR NATSIOS, AA/DCHA WINTER,
D/DCHA/OFDA BMCCONNELL, D/DCHA/FFP LANDIS
JOINT STAFF FOR JE/J4/J5
NSC FOR JDOWRKEN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/27/2013
TAGS: AORC EAID EAID IZ EAGRTR FAO WFP IZAORC EAGRTR FAO WFP
SUBJECT: TFIZ01: FAO AWAITING GUIDANCE ON ROLE IN
AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION OF IRAQ
5. (C) SPEAKING GENERALLY, THOMAS STATED THAT THE BIGGEST
CHALLENGE FACING IRAQI AGRICULTURE WAS HOW TO MAKE THE
TRANSITION AWAY FROM ITS HEAVILY SUBSIDIZED, CENTRALLY
PLANNED PAST. SHOULD THE TRANSITION GO BADLY, THE POLITICAL
CONSEQUENCES COULD BE QUITE NEGATIVE. NONETHELESS, THOMAS
EXPRESSED CONFIDENCE THAT IN ONE TO TWO YEARS, IRAQI
AGRICULTURE WOULD BE WELL ON ITS WAY TO GETTING BACK ON
TRACK. THOMAS ALSO MADE SEVERAL REFERENCES TO THE NEED FOR
FAO TO MANAGE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION THE DOWNSIZING OF ITS
ROLE IN IRAQ, INCLUDING DIVESTING ITSELF OF ITS MANY ASSETS,
HANDING SOME PROJECTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OVER TO THE NEW
AUTHORITIES, AND SHUTTING DOWN OTHERS AS APPROPRIATE.
6. (SBU) MISSION COMMENT: GIVEN THE DEPTH OF FAO EXPERIENCE
AND RESOURCES IN THE FIELD IN IRAQ, WE WOULD RECOMMEND USG
AGENCIES TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE OF THOMAS' VISIT TO WASHINGTON.
HALL
CONFIDENTIAL
PAGE 03 ROME 02349 02 OF 02 281028Z
CONFIDENTIAL
>
2003ROME02349 - Classification: CONFIDENTIAL