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### Viewing cable 05PARIS4799, USUNESCO: INTERNATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISION

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Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin
--- | --- | --- | --- | ---
05PARIS4799 | 2005-07-08 15:30 | 2011-08-24 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Paris

`

    This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

` `

    UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 07 PARIS 004799

    SIPDIS

    FROM USMISSION UNESCO

    STATE FOR IO/T JANE COWLEY, EB PAUL ACETO, OES/STAS ANDREW
    ¶W. REYNOLDS, OES/OA Liz Tirpak
    STATE FOR USAID NORMAN RIFKIN
    STATE FOR NSC GENE WHITNEY
    STATE FOR NOAA RICHARD SPINRAD, ARTHUR PATTERSON
    STATE FOR OFFICE OF NAVAL RESEARCH GLOBAL OFFICE,
    OCEANOGRAPHER OF THE NAVY
    STATE FOR EPA
    STATE FOR NSF MARGARET LEINEN

    E.O. 12958: N/A
    TAGS: AORC TSPL EAID SENV IZ UNESCO KSCI
    SUBJECT:  USUNESCO: INTERNATIONAL OCEANOGRAPHIC COMMISION
    ASSEMBLY (IOC/UNESCO) ESTABLISHES FRAMEWORK FOR TSUNAMI
    WARNING SYSTEM, ADVANCES U.S. GOALS ON EARTH OBSERVATION

    Ref: A) Paris 1496, B) Paris 2415, C) Paris 3024, D) Paris

    4310

    ¶1.   Summary and Introduction:  At the 23rd Session of the
    Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) Assembly --
    which took place June 20-30 2005 at UNESCO Headquarters in
    Paris -- the U.S. delegation (USDEL) met all of its
    objectives.  These included: encouraging fiscal transparency
    and accountability; further integrating the mission of the
    IOC with that of UNESCO's science and education sectors
    through mutual capacity building initiatives; and enhancing
    development of the Global Oceans Observation System (GOOS)
    and tsunami warning systems within the context of the Global
    Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).  USDEL
    facilitated the drafting of resolutions that established a
    framework for a global tsunami and other ocean-related
    hazards early warning system, and formally launched regional
    efforts in the Indian Ocean, Caribbean, and the
    Mediterranean and Northern Atlantic.  In addition, the U.S.
    retained its seat on the Executive Council and gained a Vice
    Chair slot on the International GOOS Steering Committee.

    ¶2.  Regarding the budget and strategic planning, the
    Assembly established a group (to work on-line in coming
    months) to plot strategy for the 2008-2009 program and
    budget that will take into account opportunities and
    challenges for operational oceanography posed by rapidly
    evolving technology and the development of the GEOSS.
    Regarding the 2006-2007 budget, USDEL led efforts to reject
    a draft budget presented by the secretariat that lacked
    clear rationale.  The Assembly endorsed instead a revised
    budget that applies a uniform cut (of approximately 26
    percent) to all IOC programs as an interim measure.  USDEL
    also secured regular budget funds for the World Climate
    Research Program:  the IOC contribution to this program has
    historically been sustained with U.S. extrabudgetary
    contributions.

    ¶3.  USDEL was led by U.S. Representative to the IOC and the
    NOAA/National Ocean Service Administrator, Dr. Richard
    Spinrad, and was comprised of experts from EPA, Navy (ONR
    Global Office, Oceanographer of the Navy), NOAA (National
    Ocean Service, National Weather Service, Oceans and
    Atmospheric Research), National Marine Fisheries Service,
    and State (U.S. Mission to UNESCO, OES/Oceans Affairs).  The
    Assembly of 132 IOC Member States ran in parallel with five
    working groups and three intersessional committees (Finance,
    Elections, Resolutions).  Several sidebar meetings and a
    reception hosted by the US Permanent Delegate to UNESCO,
    Ambassador Louise V. Oliver, were conducted to reinforce the
    goals of the USDEL.

    ¶4.  Full text of the report and resolutions can be found at
    www.unesco.ioc.org (or contact Liz Tirpak DOS/OES/OA,
    tirpakej@state.gov, 202-647-0238).  Major decisions and
    resolutions are highlighted in the following paragraphs.
    End Summary and Introduction.

    USDEL Promotes Strategic Ocean Research and Observations
    Priorities at IOC Assembly:  Highlights

    ¶5.  Key U.S. Achievements at the 23rd IOC Assembly:

    The U.S. actively participated in the negotiation of four
    resolutions that separately 1) approved the effort to
    establish a framework for the Global tsunami and other ocean-
    related hazards early warning system, and 2) formally
    established such initiatives in the Indian Ocean, Caribbean,
    and the Mediterranean and Northern Atlantic regions (REFS A,
    B)(see para 6).

    NOAA Administrator, Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher,
    addressed the IOC in his capacity as GEO co-chair, and
    reinforced the IOC resolution that calls on GOOS to serve as
    the ocean component of GEOSS (para 10).

    U.S. re-election to the IOC Executive Council, and as a Vice
    Chair of the International GOOS Steering Committee, assures
    continued opportunity for the U.S. to shape IOC and GOOS
    development (paras 11,25).

    The Assembly adopted a U.S. proposal for a new strategic
    approach to address the 900K USD cuts in UNESCO funding over
    the new biennium.  The U.S. proposal "saved" the IOC mapping
    program (that had been eliminated in a Secretariat budget
    proposal) and launched a new strategic review of IOC program
    and budget over the next year (paras 23-24).

    The U.S., supported by other developed states, succeeded in
    stabilizing IOC funding to the World Climate Research
    Program, a U.S. and IOC priority for over the past decade
    (para 16).

    Tsunami Warning System (TWS):  Global and Regional Systems

    SIPDIS
    Formally Launched

    ¶6.  The Assembly adopted four resolutions that separately
    approved 1) the creation of a framework for the Global
    tsunami and other ocean-related hazards early warning

    SIPDIS
    system, and 2) the formal establishment of such initiatives
    in the regions of the Indian Ocean, Caribbean, and the
    Mediterranean and Northern Atlantic.  Australia announced
    its willingness to serve as the Secretariat of the Indian
    Ocean system - which was met with some resistance by India's
    UNESCO Perm Del, insisting that its name be removed from the
    list of co-sponsors of the IOTWS resolution - and announced
    the first meeting of the Intergovernmental Coordination
    Group for the Indian Ocean April 3-5 in Perth.  The intent
    of the Perth meeting will be to work with experienced TWS
    operators to help draft the technical requirements. India
    will host a meeting later in the year to review the results
    of IOC-WMO assessment teams that are currently evaluating
    the infrastructure needs of the Indian Ocean states.  USDEL
    involvement ensured formal Assembly recognition of the
    necessary linkages to the efforts of GEO and WMO.

    Capacity Building Strategy and Implementation Plan

    ¶7.  Since 2003, the IOC has been developing an integrated
    Capacity Building initiative; this initiative was formally
    launched with the adoption of Resolutions at this Assembly.
    The U.S. has played a key role in this process through
    financial and technical support.  At the Assembly, USDEL,
    collaborating with the U.S. Mission to UNESCO, provided
    strong support to the adoption of the IOC capacity building
    (CB) Strategy and Implementation Plan.  U.S. proposals to
    encourage support of GOOS implementation through the IOC
    capacity building initiative and to encourage IOC
    participation in UNESCO's cross-sector capacity building
    initiative were included in the two adopted resolutions.

    ¶8.  The new biennial work plan for the IOC's capacity
    building program will consist of:
     - regional assessments of existing capacities to undertake
    marine scientific research and operational oceanography;
     - workshops to draft project proposals addressing high
    priority regional issues with clearly defined deliverables
    and associated performance indicators;
     - team-building workshops to develop regional networks of
    scientists; and
     - collaboration with UNESCO's cross-sector capacity-
    building activities.

    IOC's Capacity Building Section Head, Dr. Erlich Desa, will
    continue to work with a Consultative Group on Capacity
    Building to advise on criteria for establishment of
    priorities and methodologies for assessment.

    ¶9.  Dr. Kristina Katsaros, Chair-person of the Pan-Ocean
    Remote Sensing Conference (PORSEC), also presented a
    progress report on implementing the IOC's Plan for Capacity
    Building in Remote Sensing in Oceanography. The Assembly
    recommended that the IOC use its existing programs,
    including BILKO (a UNESCO, computer-based "hands-on"
    training program in coastal and marine remote sensing), in
    close cooperation with regional bodies, for developing
    training modules based on regional needs.  Benefits from
    these workshops would accrue to fisheries, coastal
    management and oceanographic research.

    Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS):  A
    strong Role for the IOC

    ¶10.  The IOC has been a Participating Organization of the
    Group on Earth Observations (GEO) since its inception in
    ¶2003.  The Assembly reiterated its support for the goals of
    GEO and called upon member states to participate fully by
    becoming members of GEO and linking their observing programs
    to the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS).
    Specifically, the Assembly called upon the members and
    participating organizations of GEO to recognize the
    observing programs of IOC, in particular the Global Ocean
    Observing System (GOOS), as a crucial component of GEOSS.
    The Assembly also called upon GEO to support the expansion
    of capabilities for multi-hazard warning systems,
    recognizing the IOC as the coordinating body for tsunami
    warning systems (TWS).  This resolution was supported by
    Italy, Canada, Argentina, Germany, France, the United
    Kingdom, Korea, Japan, Benin, Australia, Portugal, and
    Venezuela.  The U.S. also intervened to express strong
    support for GEO and call for the recognition of GOOS as a
    key part of GEOSS and the IOC as coordinator for TWS in a
    multi-hazard context.

    Intergovernmental Committee for the Global Ocean Observing
    System (I-GOOS):  New Leadership, Terms of Reference

    ¶11. The outgoing Chair of I-GOOS (Dr. Silvana Vallerga,
    Italy) presented the goals and operations of I-GOOS during
    the past four years.  Presently, thirteen GOOS Regional
    Alliances (GRAs) have been formed comprised of one hundred
    and eighty-five institutions from eighty-eight Nations.  A
    new Chairperson has been elected for I-GOOS (France) and two
    new Vice-Chairpersons (United States and China).  Dr.
    Vallerga noted that progress is being made with regard to
    GRAs working together.  Two GOOS Regional Fora have occurred
    (Europe and Pacific Islands) and a third will occur in
    December for Africa.  The coastal module of GOOS has been
    published.  In response to the presentation, several
    interventions were made on the regional implementation of
    GOOS, noting that a strong GOOS Project Office (GPO) at IOC
    is necessary for this to be accomplished; this will require
    a budget commensurate with the expectations of Member
    States.  Several member states indicated that GOOS should be
    a key element in the development of multi-hazard warning
    systems.  The new Chair (Francois Gerard) presented his
    vision of the future of I-GOOS, noting in particular the
    need - evoked by Argentina -- to work closely with the IOC
    Advisory Body of Experts on the Law of the Sea (ABELOS) on
    the effort to clarify the legal framework for the collection
    of oceanographic data.

    ¶12.  The Assembly adopted Revised Terms of Reference for I-
    GOOS and the GOOS Scientific Steering Committee (GSSC).
    These terms of reference address fundamental issues and
    should be applicable for a long period of time, regardless
    of changes in oceanographic sciences and the conduct of
    ocean observations.  The drafting process began in March
    2005 when the IOC distributed Circular Letter 2147
    requesting member states comments on draft Terms of
    Reference for I-GOOS, the GSSC, and the GOOS Project Office
    (GPO). The GPO collated the comments received for the
    Assembly.  Interested nations (approximately 35)
    participated in a working group to review the comments,
    preparing the revised set of Terms of Reference that was
    adopted by the Assembly.  This revised version eliminated
    many procedural items that were present in the first draft
    circulated in March.  In addition, the revised Terms of
    Reference only address I-GOOS and the GSSC. The guidance for
    the GPO was eliminated since it was agreed that the IOC
    Executive Secretary should prepare the Terms of Reference
    for the GPO as it is part of the Secretariat.  The Terms of
    Reference also include the appointment of two additional
    vice-chairs for I-GOOS; it was agreed that this be done
    immediately by the Chair of I-GOOS, with close attention to
    balancing geographical representation.

    Ocean Component of the Global Climate Observing System
    (GCOS) Implementation Plan and GOOS contribution to COP-10

    ¶13.  The retiring Director of GCOS presented the background
    to the recently published Implementation Plan for the Global
    Observing System for Climate in Support of the United
    Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC)
    noting the identification in the Plan of forty-four
    "essential climate variables" that were developed from an
    initial list of hundreds of variables.  The Plan includes a
    major satellite component along with in situ networks.  The
    Plan identifies 41 specific actions in the ocean chapter, 21
    of which are to be implemented by JCOMM.  The Plan also
    includes the requirement for sustained product generation
    and improved data management and describes the link to the
    Global Earth Observing System of Systems.  Priority areas in
    the Plan, focused on the 5-10 year time-frame, include (1)
    improved key satellite and in situ networks, (2) improved
    global analysis networks, (3) full participation, (4) data
    management including meta data.  Key ocean actions are (1)
    ensuring climate quality and continuity for essential ocean
    satellite observations, (2) global coverage of the surface
    network and (3) global coverage of the subsurface network.
    Satellite agencies within countries were asked to strengthen
    their efforts and coordinate their efforts.  The Assembly
    noted the need for global coordination and participation to
    implement a program that no single or smaller group of
    nations could accomplish otherwise.

    WMO-IOC Joint Commission for Oceanography and Marine
    Meteorology (JCOMM)

    ¶14.  A brief report on JCOMM activities was made including
    the status of the observing system.  The observing system is
    more than 50 percent complete with the global drifter
    program anticipating full implementation in September of
    this year.  The Argo profiling float pilot project is not a
    JCOMM program but is linked to JCOMM and its initial
    implementation is expected to be completed by the end of
    ¶2006.  The second JCOMM Assembly will take place in Halifax
    in September of this year.  Challenges confronting JCOMM
    include (1) the sustainability of the observing system, (2)
    real-time dissemination of the observations, and (3) the
    synergy between JCOMM and IODE (International Oceanographic
    Data and Information Exchange).  Several interventions
    addressed the sustainability issue, noting that many of the
    systems within JCOMM remain funded through research budgets.

    International Oceanographic Data and Information Exchange
    (IODE), A Strategic Plan

    ¶15.  The IODE program recently held its 17th meeting in
    Ostende, Belgium in conjunction with the opening of the new
    IODE Project Office at the Flanders Marine Science
    Institute.  As a result of that meeting, IODE approved two
    resolutions and four recommendations for action that would
    improve its ability to facilitate effective data management
    for all IOC programs.  As part of this, IODE has proposed
    the development of a Strategic Plan for Ocean Data and
    Information Management.  A consultant will be hired to work
    with the IODE members to craft the Strategic Plan, provide a
    progress report to the IOC Executive Council in 2006, and
    provide a final report to the IOC Assembly in 2007.   The
    IOC endorsed the meeting report and the timeline for the
    OD&IM plan, and will advance the program as possible within
    the currant budget situation.  The IODE resolution was
    strongly supported by Iran, France, Kenya, Australia,
    Argentina, China, Venezuela, Belgium, Chile, Brazil, Greece,
    Japan, United Kingdom, Ecuador, Korea, and Canada.  The US
    also strongly supported the IODE program and indicated
    concerns about the very tight budget being provided to this
    program by the IOC and the need for other countries to
    consider contributing extrabudgetary funds to enhance it.

    World Climate Research Program (WCRP):  U.S. Leadership
    Stabilizes Budget Prospects

    ¶16.  The U.S. early intervention in support of stabilizing
    the IOC's continued support of the World Climate Research
    Program played a key role in the Assembly's decision to
    support the WCRP at a proposed level of at least  125,000
    USD per year from the Regular Budget.  Originally, the IOC
    had proposed to support the WCRP at a 125K USD level from
    both regular budget and extrabudgetary sources.  Australia,
    the U.K, and Canada joined the U.S. in emphasizing that a
    stable commitment cannot be achieved through the proposed
    budget that originally required over half of the IOC
    commitment to be contingent upon unreliable extra-budgetary
    funds.  U.S. leadership succeeded in maintaining a
    meaningful IOC, ICSU, and WMO agreement to support WCRP and
    in sustaining IOC continued support even while major
    portions of the IOC budget are being cut to accommodate
    UNESCO's cutbacks in regular funding.

    Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB):
    Broad Support in Face of Cuts

    ¶17.  At the conclusion of the report presented by IPHAB
    Chair Beatriz Reguera, the Assembly was asked to endorse the
    report of 7th Session of IPHAB, including a work plan for
    the new biennium, resolutions and recommendations and a
    proposed budget. As usual, member states' interventions,
    particularly those of developing states, indicated strong
    support of ongoing HAB activities. Many interventions,
    including that of the U.S., voiced strong concern over the
    proposed 40 percent cut to the IOC HAB Regular Program
    budget. The Executive Secretary indicated that the Regular
    Program budget is a small fraction of the total IOC HAB
    budget (the majority coming from Spain and Denmark's direct
    contributions) and the proposed cuts amount to only 28,000
    USD for the biennium or 14,000 USD per year and will have
    only a small impact on the HAB work plan. In sidebar
    discussions, the IOC HAB Program Coordinator reiterated that
    these funds represent some of the only uncommitted funds
    available to the Secretariat to support HAB capacity
    building activities and are therefore critically important
    to the program.

    Ocean Carbon:  Assuming a New, Broader Mandate

    ¶18.  Member states were asked to adopt the new terms of
    reference (TOR) and a new title -- "International Ocean
    Carbon Coordination Project, IOCCP" -- for the former IOC-
    SCOR Advisory Panel on Ocean Carbon Dioxide. The changes
    reflect a broadening of the panel's remit to include carbon
    compounds other than carbon dioxide and the panel's decision
    to provide international coordination of scientific
    activities, rather than just provide advice to the
    scientific community. The Assembly expressed broad support
    for changing the Terms of Reference and title. There was
    also strong support and appreciation expressed for the
    leadership of the IOC Ocean Carbon Program manager, Dr.
    Maria Hood, whose position is supported by the U.S.
    (National Science Foundation).

    Census of Marine Life (CoML):  In Search of Synergies

    ¶19.  The Census of Marine Life is an international research
    program that is being supported by the Alfred P. Sloan
    Foundation in the U.S. as well as by funding agencies from
    around the world for its first phase in 2000-2010.  The IOC
    Executive Council expressed support for the program at its
    meeting in 2000.  During the Assembly, Australia submitted a
    resolution that instructed the Executive Secretary to
    examine the potential for links between the primary elements
    of CoML and the IOC Main Lines of Action and to ensure
    coordination between the IOC International Oceanographic
    Data and Information Exchange (IODE) program and the CoML
    Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS).  The
    resolution also requested IOC member states to encourage
    participation by their scientists in the program.  This
    resolution was strongly supported by Canada, Chile, Belgium,
    Japan, Portugal, Venezuela, Cuba, Kuwait, Nigeria, Sri
    Lanka, and Brazil.  USDEL also expressed strong support for
    this initiative:  the U.S. funds aspects of various CoML
    projects; hosts several of the program's coordinating
    offices, including the International Secretariat; and has a
    number of scientific institutions involved in the program.

    Ocean Science Section Overview

    ¶20.  The Head of the Ocean Science Section, Dr. Umit
    Unluata, briefly introduced this item,  without offering the
    anticipated report on accomplishments for the biennium. IOC
    Chairman Pugh indicated that the activities and results of
    the Ocean Science Section are well known and documented in
    the Action Paper and as such introduction and debate were
    unnecessary. This elicited response from Portugal and
    Australia, who expressed some concern with the direction of
    the Section's activities and, in particular, a lack of
    progress on convening the Scientific Advisory Group for the
    Section as called for in the report of the 22nd Assembly in
    ¶2003. The Executive Secretary indicated that the group has
    been contacted and agreed to serve, and that a meeting will
    be held in October 2005. The U.S. welcomes the participation
    of the Group; it has three U.S. members:  Dr. Andy Rosenberg
    (U. of New Hampshire), Dr. Biliana Cicin-Sain (University
    of Delaware), and Dr. Michael Reeve (NSF).

    Concept Paper on Modalities of Implementation of IOC
    Programs in Regions:  Improved Coordination Required

    ¶21.  Dr. Mario Ruivo (Portugal), IOC Vice-Chairman for
    Regional Affairs, organized an intersessional effort to
    develop a concept paper on IOC programs in regions that the
    Assembly was asked to endorse. The paper is relatively short
    on detailed recommendations and inadequate to serve as the
    basis for the reform and revitalization of the IOC Regional
    bodies. One of its major recommendations was to create an
    open-ended intersessional working group to develop detailed
    recommendations. During a meeting of a working group on this
    topic that took place during the Assembly, U.S. delegates
    endorsed this recommendation, but also suggested that
    certain steps with no budgetary implications could be taken
    immediately to improve the effectiveness of the regional
    bodies. These include improved communications between member
    states within regions and with the Secretariat, increased
    coordination with other regional and sub-regional
    organizations (e.g., ASEAN, CARICOM, SOPAC), and resource
    sharing between oceanographic institutions. This
    recommendation was accepted and included in a resolution.

    Advisory Body of Experts on Law of the Sea (ABELOS)

    ¶22.  ABELOS, created as a working group to explore the
    convergences of the Law of the Sea with the scientific
    initiatives of the IOC, presented the results of five years
    of consultations.  These included:  the publication of
    Guidelines for the Transfer of Marine Technology (which was
    referenced both in resolutions and the final text of the
    report to ensure its use by Member States); the Protocol for
    IOC Implementation of LOS Article 247; and the Analysis of
    the Practices of Member States with Respect to LOS Parts
    XIII (Marine Scientific Research) and XIV (Transfer of
    Marine Technology); and the state of deliberations regarding
    the legal framework for the collection of oceanographic
    data.  The last of these is unfinished and quite
    controversial, thus considered by the majority of IOC Member
    States the most crucial discussion yet considered by the
    working group.  ABELOS will meet in the spring of 2006 in
    Malaga, Spain; the U.S. will need to generate a collation of
    like-minded partners prior to this event.

    2006-2007 Biennium Budget:  Secretariat's Draft Rejected in
    Favor of Interim Placeholder

    ¶23.  The UNESCO Director-General's budget proposal -- likely
    be accepted by the UNESCO General Conference in October 2005
    -- calls for decreasing the regular budget allocation to the
    IOC by approximately 900K USD for 2006-2007. In response to
    this decrease, the IOC Secretariat presented a draft budget
    that, lacking clear rationale, was not accepted by the
    Assembly.  The Assembly did endorse a revised budget created
    after careful consideration by the Financial Committee
    (guided strongly by the U.S.) that applied a uniform cut
    (approximately 26 percent) to all IOC programs as an interim
    measure.  Chair of the Financial Committee Capt. Javier
    Valladares (Argentina) will host a virtual intersessional
    committee to explore future scenarios for the organization
    that could be used to establish priorities for medium and
    long-term plans, predicated - as suggested by the USDEL - on
    IOC mission priorities and a consistent set of program
    performance metrics.

    ¶24.  (Note:  The IOC budget cuts were precipitated by the
    adoption by the UNESCO Executive Board of a resolution
    recommending that the overall UNESCO budget remain level at
    $610 million for the 2006-2007 biennium.  End Note)

    Elections:  U.S. Re-elected to IOC Executive Board

    ¶25.  The Assembly elected a chair, five vice-chairs (one per
    electoral group) and members of the Executive Council for
    the 24th session of the Assembly.  All nominees were elected
    by acclamation, except for Group IV Council nominees; 9
    countries presented candidacies for 8 positions, thus
    necessitating a vote by secret ballot in plenary.

    Chair - David Pugh (UK)
    Vice-Chairs: Mario Ruivo (Portugal), Alexander Frolov
    (Russia), C. de N. Javier A. Valladares (Argentina), Neville
    Smith (Australia), and Alfonse Dubi (Tanzania).
    Group I (Western Europe & North America) - The U.S. was
    elected by acclamation, along with Belgium, Germany, Norway,
    Canada, Greece, Turkey, France, and Italy.
    Group II (Eastern Europe & Russia) - The Ukraine was newly
    elected by acclamation, joining the Russian Federation.

    Group III (Latin America & South America) - Brazil, Cuba,
    Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Venezuela, Colombia, and Mexico.
    Uruguay originally submitted a request for a seat on G-III
    but withdrew its nomination thus avoiding a vote in plenary
    and clearing the way for election by acclamation of the
    other Group III nominees.

    Group IV - China, Japan, Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia,
    Thailand, Indonesia, and the Republic of Korea were elected
    while Iran, which had submitted its nomination at the last
    minute, was the odd man out. A total of 90 countries voted
    on the Group IV seats.

    Group V - Congo, Kuwait, South Africa, Egypt, Mauritius,
    Tunisia, Kenya, and Nigeria. In a bit of confusion, Tunisia,
    which had withdrawn it nomination for vice-chair, also noted
    that it had not received its government's endorsement for a
    seat on the Executive Council. Tunisia later reported that
    the matter had been reconsidered and that it would accept a
    seat on the Executive Council.

    Oliver

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