German Reactions to U.S. Proposals on "Global

UNCLAS BERLIN 001175 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAGR EAID ETRD PREL UNGA GM SUBJECT: German Reactions to U.S. Proposals on "Global Partnering for Food Security" REF: STATE 093894, BERLIN 001134 ¶1. (U) Summary: While supporting the results of the G-8 meeting in Washington during the week of September 14, Germany prefers to maintain the G-8 response to a global partnership on food security in line with agreements reach by the Agricultural Ministers in l'Aquilla in April. However, Germany will stand in the way of consensus. End Summary. ¶2. (U) In follow-up to the G8 meeting in Washington DC on September 14-15 regarding world food security, Deputy Director for International Affairs in the German Federal Ministry of Agriculture Dr. Hans-Christoph Eiden (who was also present in WDC) provided some additional detail to the German position. Eiden said that Germany would support the summary paper prepared during the WDC meeting. He pointed out that Germany is in favor of the idea of a Global Partnership as agreed in l'Aquilla. However, Germany is less interested in a 'Global Partnering for Food Security' as proposed by the United States. Eiden expressed sympathy for the position of developing countries who want to be treated as equals in the process instead of implementing a system of leaders and followers. ¶3. (U) Eiden said that Germany is of the opinion that the existing structures at the United Nations and at the World Bank should be utilized for food security programs since this is also in the interest of developing countries. Germany is not interested in a new special fund for food security. Eiden said that there is already enough money available to perform the needed programs. He believes that it is better to make use of existing structures regardless of their deficiencies rather than implementing new systems. ¶4. (U) However, Eiden also made clear that Germany is open to compromise for the sake of progress. Germany would not be interested in blocking any progress and insisting on the use of certain structures to secure and improve world food supplies. Eiden was not prepared to further elaborate about the German position in the next meetings in New York during the UN General Assembly. Murphy