

Currently released so far... 6239 / 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
2011/03/22
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
AU
AORC
AF
AM
AFIN
AEMR
AR
ASIG
AMGT
AG
APER
AL
ABLD
ASUP
AA
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AE
AMED
AS
AGMT
APECO
AO
AFFAIRS
AJ
ACOA
AX
AROC
ATFN
ASEAN
AFGHANISTAN
ADCO
AFU
AER
ALOW
AODE
ABUD
ATRN
AID
AC
AVERY
APCS
CASC
CJAN
CVIS
CS
COUNTER
CD
CU
CI
CO
CG
CE
CA
CMGT
CH
CWC
CBW
CKGR
CR
CN
CPAS
CONS
CDG
CLINTON
CT
CJUS
CY
CV
COUNTERTERRORISM
CIA
CACM
CDB
CAN
COE
CM
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CACS
CF
CONDOLEEZZA
CARSON
CL
CIS
CODEL
CTM
CB
COM
ECON
EFIN
ETRD
EAIR
EAID
ET
EFIS
ENRG
EPET
ETTC
ER
EG
EINV
EAGR
ELAB
EUN
EWWT
ENGR
EMIN
ECIN
ENIV
ES
EC
ECPS
EIND
EI
EU
ENVI
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ELTN
EZ
EINT
ELN
EUR
EUNCH
EN
EINVECONSENVCSJA
ELECTIONS
EINVEFIN
ENNP
ECUN
EXTERNAL
EK
EFINECONCS
ECINECONCS
ECIP
EINDETRD
EUC
EREL
ENVR
ECA
ENERG
ENGY
ETRO
EFTA
ECONCS
ECONOMICS
ECONEFIN
EINVETC
EINN
ESA
ETC
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ESENV
ETRDECONWTOCS
IR
IZ
IWC
IC
ILC
IO
IAEA
IN
IS
IT
ICRC
INTELSAT
ILO
IBRD
IMF
ICAO
IMO
ITALY
ITALIAN
IRAQI
ITRA
ISRAELI
ICJ
IACI
INTERPOL
ID
IV
ICTY
IQ
IPR
INRB
ITPHUM
IIP
IL
IA
INR
ITPGOV
IZPREL
IRC
INRA
INRO
IRAJ
IEFIN
IF
KE
KCRM
KDRG
KIPR
KCOR
KSCA
KBIO
KDEM
KMCA
KMPI
KNNP
KJUS
KOMC
KGHG
KSUM
KSTC
KIRF
KTIP
KWMN
KZ
KG
KTFN
KHLS
KPAO
KFRD
KTIA
KOLY
KCFE
KISL
KFLU
KPKO
KWBG
KTBT
KTDB
KOCI
KUNR
KAWK
KICC
KPAL
KSTH
KN
KS
KGIC
KNPP
KWAC
KMDR
KAWC
KBCT
KIDE
KFLO
KWMNCS
KSEP
KU
KNEI
KVPR
KACT
KRAD
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCIP
KSAF
KV
KSPR
KPRP
KFSC
KCRS
KR
KRFD
KX
KO
KPWR
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
KFIN
KGCC
KPIN
KHIV
KPLS
KIRC
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KGIT
KBTS
KPRV
KBTR
KERG
KWMM
KRVC
KNSD
KVIR
KNUP
KTER
KDDG
KHSA
KMRS
KHDP
KTLA
KPAK
KNAR
KREL
KPAI
KTEX
KCOM
KNNPMNUC
KPOA
KLIG
KHUM
KDEV
KNUC
KCFC
KREC
KOMS
KWWMN
MASS
MP
MARR
MOPS
MNUC
MX
MO
MCAP
MY
ML
MU
MIL
MC
MTRE
MA
MD
MTCRE
MEPI
MAR
MRCRE
MR
MV
MPOS
MZ
MEPP
MOPPS
MAPP
MASC
MT
MERCOSUR
MK
MDC
MI
MAPS
MCC
MASSMNUC
MQADHAFI
MUCN
MTCR
MG
OVIP
OREP
OTRA
OSCE
OECD
OIIP
OEXC
OPCW
OPIC
OPDC
OPRC
ODIP
OVP
OSCI
OAS
OFDP
OTR
OSAC
OIC
OFFICIALS
OIE
PREL
PGOV
PHUM
PTER
PE
PINR
PINS
PARMS
PARM
PHSA
PA
PK
PBTS
PO
PREF
POL
PLN
POLITICS
PROP
PL
PM
PAO
PSI
PG
PEPR
POV
PALESTINIAN
PINT
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
PINF
PEL
SNAR
SO
SENV
SU
SCUL
SOCI
SP
SC
SA
SMIG
SAN
SZ
SW
SN
SY
SR
SL
SEVN
SF
SYR
SI
SG
STEINBERG
SIPRS
SH
SNARCS
SOFA
SANC
SHUM
SK
ST
TERRORISM
TRGY
TZ
TX
TBIO
TSPA
TS
TSPL
TW
TU
TD
TIP
TURKEY
TP
TI
TC
TPHY
TH
TO
TK
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TR
TFIN
TT
UG
UK
UP
UNGA
UNHRC
UZ
UN
UNAUS
USTR
UNSC
US
UNEP
UY
UNESCO
USUN
UNHCR
UAE
UNMIK
USEU
UV
UNO
UNDP
UNCHS
UNVIE
UNCHC
UE
UNDESCO
USAID
UNDC
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