UNCLAS ASUNCION 000552

SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO/EDA
USDA FOR FAS/ICD REICH AND HUGHES
USUN FOR ROME

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR KUNR AORC PA FAO
SUBJECT: PARAGUAY SUPPORTS EXTERNAL EVALUATION OF UN FAO
BUT WILL NOT DONATE

REF: STATE 02599

Econoff delivered reftel demarche on April 21 to Julio
Cesar Peralta, MFAs Director of International
Organizations. Peralta noted the importance of FAO
programs in Paraguay. While supportive of efforts to
improve the FAO, he said that Paraguay is currently
attempting to pay down its arrears in several
international fora. Peralta told Econoff that resource
constraints make contributions to FAOs external
evaluation unlikely, but that Paraguay will play as
active a role as possible in reaching consensus on FAO
and broader UN reforms.

KEANE
E