PEACE CORPS FAO COOPERATION: DIRECTOR GENERAL'S

UNCLAS ROME 003767

SIPDIS


STATE FOR IO/EDA SHARON KOTOK, IO/S GEORGE ABRAHAMS, IO/EX
CHERYL EASELY, AND IO/T; PASS TO PEACE CORPS
USDA FOR FAS/ICD LYNNE REICH AND RICHARD HUGHES

FROM U.S. MISSION TO THE UN AGENCIES

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EAGR KTIA EAID FAO
SUBJECT: PEACE CORPS FAO COOPERATION: DIRECTOR GENERAL'S
RESPONSE TO LETTER FROM AMBASSADOR TONY P. HALL

REF:STATE 179092


1. The U.S. Mission to the UN Agencies for Food and
Agriculture in Rome received a response letter to its
September 10th, 2004 letter (reftel) regarding the
termination of the 1962 Agreement between the United States
and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on the Use
of Peace Corps Volunteers in FAO-Sponsored Projects.
Director General Jacques Diouf wrote to Ambassador Hall on
September 28th, 2004, agreeing with the termination of the
1962 Agreement in order to anticipate a new arrangement
t
between the Peace Corps and FAO, which would establish a
basis for future cooperation. Mr. Diouf expressed his
eagerness to sign the new agreement with Mr. G. Vasquez,
Director, Peace Corps, as soon as a mutually convenient
date can be identified. Below is the full text of the
letter.


2. The original letter is being pouched to IO/T. A
scanned copy has been emailed to IO/EDA (Kotok).


3. Begin text:

Excellency:

I have the honour to refer to your letter of 10 September
2004 concerning recent discussions between representatives
of the United States Peace Corps and FAO with regard to the
ongoing Agreement between the United States of America and
FAO governing conditions relating to the assignment of
volunteer personnel, effected by exchange of letters in
Rome, 23 and 29 March 1962 (the Agreement).

As you mention, both parties have determined that, in
anticipation of a new arrangement between Peace Corps and
FAO which would establish a basis for future cooperation,
it would be desirable to proceed with the termination of
the 1962 Agreement. I therefore concur with your proposal
that the Agreement be terminated with effect from the date
of this letter.

I look forward to a new era of cooperation between the
United States Peace Corps and FAO under the new arrangement
and look forward to signing this agreement with Mr. G.
Vasquez, Peace Corps, as soon as a mutually convenient date
can be identified.

Accept, Excellency, the assurance of my highest
consideration.

Jacques Diouf

End text.

CLEVERLEY


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2004ROME03767 - Classification: UNCLASSIFIED