Cablegate: Czech Response: Fao Budget - Demarche for Zero

VZCZCXRO2540
RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR
DE RUEHPG #0568 2661453
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231453Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1781
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
RUEHRN/USMISSION UN ROME 0001
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0273

UNCLAS PRAGUE 000568

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN AORC EAGR EAID CZ
SUBJECT: CZECH RESPONSE: FAO BUDGET - DEMARCHE FOR ZERO
NOMINAL GROWTH

REF: SECSTATE 96467

1. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche to officials from the
Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Foreign Affairs on
September 17. The AgMin Officer responsible for relations
with the FAO Katerina Tomasova replied September 22 that the
GoCR was "disconcerted" by the new FAO budget proposal at a
time when savings are essential for all. The GoCR, however,
is inclined to support a zero real growth budget, and was
taking this position during discussions with other EU
members. The GoCR also found unacceptable the proposal to
fund 50 percent of the reform process using voluntary
contributions. Tomasova added that the EU Member States had
not finalized a joint position at their meeting on September
21. The majority, however, appear to support adoption of a
maintenance budget (i.e. zero real growth).
Thompson-Jones

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