AFRICA GROUP SEEKS STRONG MANDATE FOR RE-

UNCLAS ROME 003638

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR IO DAS MILLER, IO/EDA - BEHREND, KOTOK
USDA FOR FAS/ICD - WBRANT, LREICH, RHUGHES

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC EAGR EAID KUNR XA FAO
SUBJECT: AFRICA GROUP SEEKS STRONG MANDATE FOR RE-
ELECTION OF FAO DIRECTOR GENERAL JACQUES DIOUF

REF: 04 ROME 2873

Sensitive but unclassified - please handle accordingly.


1. (SBU) On October 31, Egyptian Ambassador Helmy
Bedeir (current chair of the Africa Regional Group in
Rome) and Senegalese Ambassador Papa Cheikh Saadibou Fall
(representing the nominating country) called on
Ambassador Hall in order to seek USG support for the re-
election of Dr. Jacques Diouf to a third term as Director
General (DG) of FAO. The two African permanent
representatives said it was important for the DG to have
a strong mandate, so as to allow him to be effective in
meeting the challenges the organization faces, including
pressing reform and budget questions.


2. (SBU) Ambassador Hall responded that he enjoyed a
good personal working relationship with Diouf, but
restated the longstanding USG position on the value and
importance of term limits for heads of UN agencies, no
matter how qualified or talented the incumbent. The
Ambassador acknowledged that Diouf, as the sole
candidate, would in all likelihood be re-elected. The
USG wished him well and looked forward to continuing to
work with him, but the USG was not yet ready to make a
decision on the upcoming vote. He stressed the USG's
interest in reforming and strengthening FAO, and noted
the DG's cooperation with the member-led initiative for
an Independent External Evaluation. The appointment of a
strong senior management team will be crucial; there are
excellent candidates available, including several
Americans. FAO must focus on its essential mandate in
food and agriculture, and should not be allowed to become
a platform for political rhetoric, as had happened when
Zimbabwe's President Mugabe spoke at the World Food Day
event on October 17. As the major contributor to FAO,
the USG wants to ensure that the organization is as
effective and efficient as possible.


3. (SBU) The Egyptian and Senegalese permreps expressed
appreciation for Ambassador Hall's forthright comments.
Bedeir admitted that many members had been very
disappointed with what had happened on World Food Day,
but added that it was not possible to tell visiting heads
of state what to say. The two African diplomats stressed
that they were working on behalf of the organization and
its members, and not for Diouf personally; but they added
that they had taken note of USG concerns, and would pass
them on. The meeting ended with all three ambassadors
expressing a shared commitment to strengthening and
enhancing the effectiveness of FAO.

HALL