NORWEGIANS WON'T COMMIT NOW TO INCREASED FOOD

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000534 SIPDIS FOR EUR/ERA (EMILY WILLIAMS),EEB/TPP/MTAA/ABT (GARY CLEMENTS) AND COUNSELOR CHERYL MILLS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/01/2019 TAGS: EAGR EAID ETRD NO SUBJECT: NORWEGIANS WON'T COMMIT NOW TO INCREASED FOOD SECURITY AID REF: STATE 89970 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires James T. Heg for reasons 1.4(b) and (d ) ¶1. (C) Summary: In line with expectations based on reftel conversations with the Norwegian Embassy in Washington, Norway is at this time unwilling to commit to an increase in its aid budget devoted to agricultural development and food security, due to the upcoming Norwegian election. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Director General for Geographic Bureaus and International Development was, however, positive toward our concerns and our initiative. Post believes that a call by EUR Assistant Secretary Gordon to MFA Political Director Ellefsen would not/not result in a firm commitment of more money by the Norwegians at this time. End Summary. ELECTION AND BUDGET PROCESS MAKE COMMITMENT IMPOSSIBLE -------------- -------------- ¶2. (C) Norway has its elections on September 14, and at this time, it is impossible to say whether the new government will have a similar composition to the existing one. The level of Norway's development aid has been an issue in the campaign. The current "Red-Green" government has committed to 1% of GDP going to foreign aid. A victory by a right or center-right government could potentially change this. ¶3. (C) Political Counselor Cherrie Daniels and Poloff met on August 31 with Aud Marit Wiig, MFA Director General for geographic bureaus and international development (very roughly the equivalent rank of our Under Secretary for Political Affairs). Ms. Wiig said that the MFA is currently in the process of drafting a budget proposal for the MFA budget and the development budget (which the MFA exclusively controls). The proposal has text but does not yet have numbers, pending the formation of a new government. ¶4. (C) Wiig said that Norway will retain a strong commitment to agricultural development and food security regardless of the incoming government. The most recent white paper on development aid, presented to and approved by parliament last year, entitled "Climate, Conflict, and Capital," makes agricultural development and food security key goals of Norway's development policy. ¶5. (C) Wiig said that, as a general matter, "we're with you on this issue," and praised the Obama administration for its initiative, which she said would contribute to lifting food security up on the international agenda. Norway, she said, had feared this item would drop in importance given the financial crisis, and therefore the focus on it at L'Aquila was heartening. Wiig said that Norway was glad to be invited to the meeting in Washington on September 14-15, where Norway will be represented by its permanent representative in Rome. She also favorably commented on Norway's invitation by the U.S. to a related side event during the General Assembly of the U.N. in New York. ISSUES OF INTEREST TO NORWAY -------------- ¶6. (C) Wiig said that there were several principles and issues which Norway considers important when it comes to food security and agricultural development. First, she said that Norway favors aid through existing multilateral organizations and institutions. "The FAO has problems, but this is their area of responsibility," she said. Second, "the gender issue ("insuring underserved groups such as women ... benefit from growth") is something Norway feels strongly about." Third, Wiig emphasized that "food security" is linked to many things other than "agricultural development." She mentioned, as an example, Norwegian support for rural electrification as support for the food security infrastructure. ¶7. (C) Comment: We were graciously received and the discussion was positive in tone, but our assessment is that there is no one in Norway, from the Prime Minister on down, who can make any commitment regarding budget numbers for aid or anything else until the new government, and its priorities, are known. That said, it is unlikely that there will be a truly radical shift in Norway's commitment to the food security/agricultural development issue. A phone call by EUR Assistant Secretary Gordon to MFA Political Director Ellefsen would not result in a new commitment now , although it could re-emphasize the importance we ascribe to this issue. Mission recommends making a renewed approach on this issue once a new Norwegian government is formed and up and running. End Comment. HEG