OSCE GUIDANCE: DRAFT DECISION ON THE AGENDA AND

UNCLAS STATE 078859 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OSCE PREL SUBJECT: OSCE GUIDANCE: DRAFT DECISION ON THE AGENDA AND MODALITIES OF THE 2008 OSCE MEDITERRANEAN CONFERENCE REF: USOSCE 191 ¶1. The Department has reviewed the text of draft decision PC.DD/27/08 (text as transmited reftel),which decides on the agenda and modalities of the 2008 OSCE Mediterranean Partners Conference, to be held October 27-28, in Jordan. ¶2. Post should seek the following ammendment to the text: -- in the first bullet of the session 2 agenda, on the issue of water scarcity, for the sake of clarity about the scope of discussion, Post should attempt to obtain consensus on changing the word "countering" to either "managing" or "adapting to", so that the bullet reads, in its entirety: "Promoting cooperation and dialogue in the Mediterranean region on managing water scarcity and combating land degradation, desertification and soil contamination in the Mediterranean region." ¶3. While obtaining this change is desirable, it is not crucial, and Post is therefore authorized to join consensus on the text of the agenda without the amendment should other participating States object to it. RICE