No. B3/Agrifo/ASEAN-USDA/Vol.IB/SS

10 August 2000

H.E. Mr. Dan Glickman

Secretary of Agriculture

Department of Agriculture

Washington D.C. U.S.A.

Excellency,

I wish to refer to the agreement arrived at the 15th ASEAN-US Dialogue, held on 24-25 May, 2000 in Kuala Lumpur, to establish cooperation in food, agriculture and forestry and in rural development and poverty eradication between the Senior Officials Meeting of the ASEAN Ministers of Agriculture and Forestry (SOM-AMAF) and the ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (SOM-RDPE) and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

ASEAN recognizes the vast pool of technical knowledge and expertise that the U.S. possesses, which ASEAN could tap for the development of industries related to the region's food, agriculture, livestock, fisheries and poverty alleviation programs. This cooperation could be effected through:

               i.      the development of technical assistance, institutional development, technology transfer, and training in support of selected programs in the Strategic Plan of ASEAN Cooperation in Food, Agriculture and Forestry (1999-2004), particularly in food security programs, and in the Framework for tile ASEAN Plan of Action on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication;

             ii.      the development of mutually advantageous agri-business connections and of programs that will facilitate and encourage these connections;

            iii.      the transfer of methodologies and technologies that will improve the quality of rural life in ASEAN countries; and

           iv.      the conduct of symposia, training and seminars related to the field of endeavor.

In the implementation of cooperation activities, ASEAN and the USDA will work together obtaining funding and the necessary personnel and other resources. Each side is to identify a contact person for coordination purposes.

It is recognized that specific agreements would be required to implement the abovementioned activities on a case-by-case basis, and provisions regarding the treatment of intellectual property , if any, created or furnished in connection with the implementation of these activities, will be included in the agreements.

I look forward to receiving your favorable response on this matter.

Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.