Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06VATICAN220
2006-10-19 11:18:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vatican
Cable title:
VATICAN OFFICIAL INTERESTED IN BENIN BIOTECH
how-toVZCZCXRO4141 RR RUEHRN RUEHROV DE RUEHROV #0220 2921118 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 191118Z OCT 06 FM AMEMBASSY VATICAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0528 INFO RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0006 RUEHRO/AMEMBASSY ROME 0070 RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME 0001 RUEHCO/AMEMBASSY COTONOU 0001 RUEHROV/AMEMBASSY VATICAN 0556
C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000220
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE JLARREA
DEPT FOR EB JBOBO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2016
TAGS: BN VT EAGR EAID TBIO ECON
SUBJECT: VATICAN OFFICIAL INTERESTED IN BENIN BIOTECH
REF: VATICAN 218
CLASSIFIED BY: Peter G. Martin, Political Officer, Embassy
Vatican, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L VATICAN 000220
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE JLARREA
DEPT FOR EB JBOBO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2016
TAGS: BN VT EAGR EAID TBIO ECON
SUBJECT: VATICAN OFFICIAL INTERESTED IN BENIN BIOTECH
REF: VATICAN 218
CLASSIFIED BY: Peter G. Martin, Political Officer, Embassy
Vatican, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) During a recent EB-sponsored speakers program, Emboff
and visiting U.S. researchers met with Monsignor Jean Laffitte,
Vice President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, to discuss
the potential of agricultural biotechnology and the promise it
holds for Africa. Laffitte was concerned when our speakers told
him that African governments were doing little or no research on
the subject, and were not open to testing GMO seeds being
developed by NGOs.
2. (C) Laffitte expressed particular interest in the situation
in Benin, where he teaches for a few months each year at the
Jean Paul II Institute on Marriage and Family. He was a
particularly enthusiastic proponent of agricultural biotech, and
criticized the anti-GMO stance of some of his fellow Catholics.
Laffitte (a Frenchman) told us that he would discuss the
benefits of agricultural biotechnology with his peers and
government contacts in Benin when he travels there in 2007. He
is also open to meeting with a representative from Embassy
Cotonou when he next travels there; dates are not set for 2007.
Post can facilitate contact between Embassy Cotonou and/or the
Department and Laffitte if desired. POC: PAO Mary Kane or
Political Officer Peter Martin.
SANDROLINI
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EUR/WE JLARREA
DEPT FOR EB JBOBO
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/19/2016
TAGS: BN VT EAGR EAID TBIO ECON
SUBJECT: VATICAN OFFICIAL INTERESTED IN BENIN BIOTECH
REF: VATICAN 218
CLASSIFIED BY: Peter G. Martin, Political Officer, Embassy
Vatican, State.
REASON: 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) During a recent EB-sponsored speakers program, Emboff
and visiting U.S. researchers met with Monsignor Jean Laffitte,
Vice President of the Pontifical Academy for Life, to discuss
the potential of agricultural biotechnology and the promise it
holds for Africa. Laffitte was concerned when our speakers told
him that African governments were doing little or no research on
the subject, and were not open to testing GMO seeds being
developed by NGOs.
2. (C) Laffitte expressed particular interest in the situation
in Benin, where he teaches for a few months each year at the
Jean Paul II Institute on Marriage and Family. He was a
particularly enthusiastic proponent of agricultural biotech, and
criticized the anti-GMO stance of some of his fellow Catholics.
Laffitte (a Frenchman) told us that he would discuss the
benefits of agricultural biotechnology with his peers and
government contacts in Benin when he travels there in 2007. He
is also open to meeting with a representative from Embassy
Cotonou when he next travels there; dates are not set for 2007.
Post can facilitate contact between Embassy Cotonou and/or the
Department and Laffitte if desired. POC: PAO Mary Kane or
Political Officer Peter Martin.
SANDROLINI