

Currently released so far... 6230 / 251,287
Articles
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
2011/03/01
2011/03/02
2011/03/03
2011/03/04
2011/03/05
2011/03/06
2011/03/07
2011/03/08
2011/03/09
2011/03/10
2011/03/11
2011/03/13
2011/03/14
2011/03/15
2011/03/16
2011/03/17
2011/03/18
2011/03/19
2011/03/20
2011/03/21
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Kolkata
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Tijuana
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
ASEC
AF
AE
AR
AORC
AJ
AU
AM
ABLD
AL
AMGT
ASUP
AFIN
APER
ABUD
AVERY
APCS
AEMR
ADCO
APECO
ASIG
AG
AA
AS
AFFAIRS
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AMED
AO
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ATRN
AID
AC
AGMT
CH
CO
CS
CE
CU
CLINTON
CG
CVIS
CMGT
CI
CJAN
CF
COM
CASC
CA
CBW
CM
CDG
CR
COUNTER
CD
CWC
CKGR
CN
CPAS
CJUS
CV
CONS
CT
CY
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
ECON
EFIN
EAIR
EUN
EINV
ENRG
EG
ETRD
EPET
ETTC
ELAB
EU
ER
ET
EAGR
ECPS
ECIN
ELTN
EAID
EMIN
EWWT
EFIS
EIND
EC
ES
EN
EI
ENVR
ENGR
ENIV
EUNCH
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELN
EZ
EXTERNAL
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EINT
EUR
ECINECONCS
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EK
ELECTIONS
ECUN
EINVEFIN
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IN
IC
IR
IZ
IS
IAEA
IT
ICTY
IO
IA
IWC
ID
ICRC
ILC
INTELSAT
IMO
ISRAELI
IACI
ILO
ITRA
IBRD
IMF
ICJ
ICAO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
INTERPOL
IV
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KDEM
KCRM
KJUS
KTIA
KWBG
KPAL
KIPR
KTIP
KE
KNNP
KGHG
KICC
KV
KTFN
KU
KCFE
KDRG
KWMN
KSCA
KGIC
KCOR
KFRD
KPKO
KSUM
KPRP
KPAO
KBCT
KIRF
KCFC
KISL
KREC
KSPR
KHIV
KBIO
KMCA
KMPI
KFLU
KSTH
KBTR
KS
KOMC
KOMS
KSEP
KPRV
KFLO
KHLS
KN
KWWMN
KUNR
KLIG
KSTC
KZ
KG
KRAD
KOLY
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KAWK
KCIP
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KIDE
KSAF
KX
KWMNCS
KNEI
KCRS
KVPR
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KACT
KO
KFSC
KR
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KRFD
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
MOPS
MARR
MASS
MNUC
MO
MX
MCAP
ML
MTCRE
MR
MP
MY
MU
MIL
MAR
MC
MRCRE
MTRE
MA
MEPI
MV
MPOS
MD
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OREP
OVIP
OFDP
ODIP
OPDC
OAS
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPRC
OVP
OSCI
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PHUM
PREL
PGOV
PREF
PTER
PARM
PBTS
PINR
PINS
PHSA
PK
POL
PM
PINT
PE
PINF
PEL
PA
PARMS
PO
PLN
PROP
PALESTINIAN
PAO
PL
POV
PG
POLITICS
PEPR
PSI
PSOE
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PBIO
PECON
PAK
POGOV
PINL
PKFK
PMIL
PY
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PUNE
PORG
PHUMPREL
PF
POLINT
PHUS
PGOC
PNR
PGGV
PNAT
PGOVE
PRGOV
PRL
PROV
PTERE
PGOF
PHUMBA
SENV
SY
SZ
SOCI
SO
SR
SNAR
SA
SP
SW
SMIG
SU
SCUL
SC
SAN
SN
SL
SG
SYR
SEVN
SF
SI
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TRGY
TU
TBIO
TH
TS
TSPL
TT
TPHY
TSPA
TI
TK
TIP
TERRORISM
TZ
TX
TW
TD
TP
TC
TO
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TURKEY
UK
UNGA
UN
UNHRC
UNMIK
UNO
UZ
UNSC
UP
UG
UNHCR
UNDC
US
UNAUS
USTR
UV
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UAE
USEU
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08SANJOSE999, SFRC STAFFDEL MEACHAM-WHITESEL RESEARCH FOOD SECURITY
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08SANJOSE999.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08SANJOSE999 | 2008-12-23 22:10 | 2011-03-21 16:04 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy San Jose |
VZCZCXYZ0001
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHSJ #0999/01 3582210
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 232210Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 0374
INFO RUEHRC/USDA FAS WASHDC 2063
RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000999
SIPDIS
STATE FOR H, WHA/CEN AND RM/F/DFS/FO/AA/CAA
USDA FAS FOR OFSO/WHO, H. MAGINNIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR CR OREP PREL PGOV ENRG AFIN
SUBJECT: SFRC STAFFDEL MEACHAM-WHITESEL RESEARCH FOOD SECURITY
ISSUES IN COSTA RICA
RE: STATE 123682
-------
SUMMARY
-------
¶1. SFRC staffers Carl Meacham and Aaron Whitesel visited Costa Rica
December 7-9 and Guatemala December 9-13 to conduct research on food
security issues. They compared and contrasted the experiences of
two countries with far different food security issues. The findings
will help inform and shape SFRC action on food security policy.
Unlike other countries in Central America, relatively better-off
Costa Rica has not yet faced serious food security problems.
Nevertheless, the GOCR is working to improve the country's food
production and food supplies.
¶2. In Costa Rica, the Staffdel met with the Ambassador, members of
the country team, the Minister of Agriculture; officials from the
Institute for InterAmerican Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); the
Vice Minister of the Economy and key legislators. The Staffdel also
traveled to EARTH University in Guapiles to tour the campus, meet
with faculty and staff, and review agricultural development programs
with future food security applications. The STAFFDEL's
interlocutors described Costa Rica's plans to increase local rice
and bean production to improve food security, noted the negative
impact of the world financial crisis on farm credit and stressed the
importance of training and infrastructure, as well as credit access,
to help Costa Rica ensure its own food security. The site visits
showed how Costa Rica-based regional and international entities are
helping other countries better address food security issues. END
SUMMARY.
¶3. BACKGROUND: Senator Lugar directed minority staff of the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee (SFRC) to undertake a study of global
food security. The study will, in part, support a bill introduced
by Senators Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Robert Casey (D-PA) titled the
"Lugar-Casey Global Food Security Act". The purpose of the bill is
to improve the U.S. emergency response to food crises, to establish
a Global Food Security Strategy overseen by a Special Coordinator
for Global Food Security, to increase resources for long-term rural
development programs, and to enhance human capacity through higher
education for agriculture and extension.
¶4. MEETINGS WITH THE U.S. EMBASSY: With the Ambassador and DCM
Peter Brennan, the STAFFDEL asked about overall security issues in
the region and CAFTA-DR implementation. The STAFFDEL learned that
despite relatively low security threats in Costa Rica compared with
neighboring states, the security situation is deteriorating, with
narcotic trafficking and violent crime on the rise. Although the
final steps are somewhat complicated, the Ambassador and DCM told
the STAFFDEL that CAFTA-DR is expected to enter into force for Costa
Rica on January 1, 2009. DCM chaired a follow-on meeting for the
STAFFDEL with members of Embassy San Jose's country team, which
provided the staffers a broad overview of bilateral and regional
issues.
¶5. MEETING WITH MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE: Staffers met with
Minister Javier Flores and Vice Minister Roman Solera to discuss
Costa Rica's approach to food security. Flores expressed strong
support for imports into Costa Rica to meet its food security needs.
However, the minister stated that he planned to promote efforts to
increase local production of rice and beans in order to improve food
security. Costa Rica depends on the United States for virtually all
of its rice imports. Minister Flores also stated that the credit
crunch is affecting farmers because they cannot obtain small loans.
The minister's personally supports biotechnology; however, he
acknowledges that many in the GOCR oppose the application of
biotechnology to agricultural production.
¶6. MEETING WITH IICA: Dr. Chelston Brathwaite, IICA Director
General, led the delegation from IICA. To promote food security,
IICA proposed increased efforts to train farmers, provide credit and
improve agricultural infrastructure to help them produce and ensure
food security. As a response to the recent spike in food prices,
IICA expects to see an increase in support subsidies for poor
farmers. However, the aim of the subsidies would change from
shielding domestic production from competition to focusing on
building infrastructure and capacity.
¶7. MEETING WITH COSTA RICAN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS: Over lunch, the
staffers met with Vice Minister of Economy Eduardo Sibaja and
legislators Evita Arguedes (IND), Andrea Morales (IND), Jose Manuel
Echandi (IND) and Guyyon Massey (PRN). The legislators represented
key committees and the national legislature's leadership. All but
Morales were pro-CAFTA, but she broke with her party to not oppose
CAFTA following the 2007 national referendum on the issue.
¶8. In frank and wide-ranging discussions, the STAFFDEL heard about
the need for additional U.S. aid for Costa Rica, optimistic
expectations for the Obama administration, plans to address food
security, Costa Rica's goal to carve out niche export markets with
the EU and China (once CAFTA is completed), the growing importance
of the international service sector to Costa Rica ("back office"
operations by multinationals and call centers), and Costa Rica's
planned accession to Petrocaribe - Venezuela's oil program. The
legislators agreed with Meacham's assessment that renegotiation of
CAFTA (as called for by the leading opposition party) was highly
unlikely in the next administration. They also candidly described
the structural, legal and political impediments that made Costa Rica
difficult to govern effectively or efficiently. On Petrocaribe,
Sibaja reiterated that the GOCR was acting out of economic
pragmatism; there were no plans to move closer to Venezuela
politically. He and the legislators also noted Costa Rica's
interest in greater involvement in bio-fuel initiatives.
¶9. EARTH UNIVERSITY VISIT: Staffers traveled east of San Jos to
Guapiles, Costa Rica, where they toured EARTH University.
Originally founded with a generous grant from USAID, EARTH was
inaugurated in 1990 as an international, private, not-for-profit
university dedicated to education, extension, research and the
generation of value through production, transformation and
commercialization activities. The academic program, leading to a
"licenciatura" degree, emphasizes the agricultural sciences and the
rational management of natural resources. EARTH programs focus on
sustainable development, with its 400 students drawn from
under-developed and developing countries in Latin America and the
Caribbean, Asia, and Africa.
¶10. Accompanied by Provost Dr. Daniel Sherrard, the STAFFDEL viewed
student projects in Costa Rica; learned about EARTH-supported
education and extension projects in Africa and Asia; and visited
EARTH's on-site livestock operation, banana paper mills, and banana
plantations. EARTH University has approximately 10,000 hectares of
bananas in Cost Rica; the majority of production is sold to Whole
Foods.
¶11. STAFFDEL Meachan-Whitsel did not clear this cable in advance.
CIANCHETTE