GOT WILL CONSIDER FUNDING EXTERNAL EVALUATION

UNCLAS ANKARA 001050 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/EDA ROME FOR USUN-ROME USDA/FAS FOR ICD REICH AND HUGHES SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC EAGR KUNR TU SUBJECT: GOT WILL CONSIDER FUNDING EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF FAO Ref: State 25999 ¶1. (SBU) Econoff delivered reftel demarche, encouraging the GOT to make voluntary contributions toward the costs of an independent evaluation of FAO, to Asim Asar, Multilateral Economic Organizations Department Head, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on February 16. Asar responded that the GOT supported the concept of an independent evaluation of FAO, as well as the need for reform in that organization. He stated that the GOT has not made voluntary contributions to international organizations for the last three years, but that officials are considering a change in this policy in conjunction with Turkey's plans to run for election to the UN Security Council in 2008. Asar told us MFA was working to secure interagency clearance for a USD 350,000 contribution to the World Food Program for aid to Tajikistan, and added that MFA might try to secure a contribution to the FAO if it is successful in obtaining the WFP contribution. ¶2. (SBU) Asar added that Turkey had already agreed to support the reelection of Jacques Diouf to the FAO Director General position, in line with a decision taken earlier by the Organization of the Islamic Conference on the election. Edelman