Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287
Articles
Brazil
Sri Lanka
United Kingdom
Sweden
00. Editorial
United States
Latin America
Egypt
Jordan
Yemen
Thailand
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
2010/12/25
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
2011/01/11
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
2011/03/23
2011/03/24
2011/03/25
2011/03/26
2011/03/27
2011/03/28
2011/03/29
2011/03/30
2011/03/31
2011/04/01
2011/04/02
2011/04/03
2011/04/04
2011/04/05
2011/04/06
2011/04/07
2011/04/08
2011/04/09
2011/04/10
2011/04/11
2011/04/12
2011/04/13
2011/04/14
2011/04/15
2011/04/16
2011/04/17
2011/04/18
2011/04/19
2011/04/20
2011/04/21
2011/04/22
2011/04/23
2011/04/24
2011/04/25
2011/04/26
2011/04/27
2011/04/28
2011/04/29
2011/04/30
2011/05/01
2011/05/02
2011/05/03
2011/05/04
2011/05/05
2011/05/06
2011/05/07
2011/05/09
2011/05/10
2011/05/11
2011/05/12
2011/05/13
2011/05/14
2011/05/15
2011/05/16
2011/05/17
2011/05/18
2011/05/19
2011/05/20
2011/05/21
2011/05/22
2011/05/23
2011/05/24
2011/05/25
2011/05/26
2011/05/27
2011/05/28
2011/05/29
2011/05/30
2011/05/31
2011/06/01
2011/06/02
2011/06/03
2011/06/04
2011/06/05
2011/06/06
2011/06/07
2011/06/08
2011/06/09
2011/06/10
2011/06/11
2011/06/12
2011/06/13
2011/06/14
2011/06/15
2011/06/16
2011/06/17
2011/06/18
2011/06/19
2011/06/20
2011/06/21
2011/06/22
2011/06/23
2011/06/24
2011/06/25
2011/06/26
2011/06/27
2011/06/28
2011/06/29
2011/06/30
2011/07/01
2011/07/02
2011/07/04
2011/07/05
2011/07/06
2011/07/07
2011/07/08
2011/07/10
2011/07/11
2011/07/12
2011/07/13
2011/07/14
2011/07/15
2011/07/16
2011/07/17
2011/07/18
2011/07/19
2011/07/20
2011/07/21
2011/07/22
2011/07/23
2011/07/25
2011/07/27
2011/07/28
2011/07/29
2011/07/31
2011/08/01
2011/08/02
2011/08/03
2011/08/05
2011/08/06
2011/08/07
2011/08/08
2011/08/10
2011/08/11
2011/08/12
2011/08/13
2011/08/15
2011/08/16
2011/08/17
2011/08/19
2011/08/21
2011/08/22
2011/08/23
2011/08/24
2011/08/25
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Apia
Embassy Antananarivo
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Auckland
Consulate Amsterdam
Consulate Alexandria
Consulate Adana
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embasy Bonn
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Brazzaville
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belmopan
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangui
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Belfast
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Cotonou
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Ciudad Juarez
Consulate Chiang Mai
Consulate Chennai
Consulate Chengdu
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Consulate Calgary
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dili
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
DIR FSINFATC
Consulate Dusseldorf
Consulate Durban
Consulate Dubai
Consulate Dhahran
Embassy Guatemala
Embassy Grenada
Embassy Georgetown
Embassy Gaborone
Consulate Guayaquil
Consulate Guangzhou
Consulate Guadalajara
Embassy Helsinki
Embassy Harare
Embassy Hanoi
Consulate Hong Kong
Consulate Ho Chi Minh City
Consulate Hermosillo
Consulate Hamilton
Consulate Hamburg
Consulate Halifax
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kolonia
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kingston
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kathmandu
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Consulate Krakow
Consulate Kolkata
Consulate Karachi
Consulate Kaduna
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Lusaka
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Lome
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy Libreville
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Leipzig
Consulate Lahore
Consulate Lagos
Mission USOSCE
Mission USNATO
Mission UNESCO
Mission Geneva
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Mogadishu
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maseru
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manila
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Mumbai
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Consulate Merida
Consulate Melbourne
Consulate Matamoros
Consulate Marseille
Embassy Nouakchott
Embassy Nicosia
Embassy Niamey
Embassy New Delhi
Embassy Ndjamena
Embassy Nassau
Embassy Nairobi
Consulate Nuevo Laredo
Consulate Naples
Consulate Naha
Consulate Nagoya
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Praia
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Of Spain
Embassy Port Moresby
Embassy Port Louis
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Podgorica
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Ponta Delgada
Consulate Peshawar
REO Mosul
REO Kirkuk
REO Hillah
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Suva
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 Surabaya
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate St Petersburg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sapporo
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy Tirana
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
Consulate Toronto
Consulate Tijuana
Consulate Thessaloniki
USUN New York
USMISSION USTR GENEVA
USEU Brussels
US Office Almaty
US Mission Geneva
US Mission CD Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
US Delegation FEST TWO
UNVIE
UN Rome
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Embassy Vilnius
Embassy Vientiane
Embassy Vienna
Embassy Vatican
Embassy Valletta
Consulate Vladivostok
Consulate Vancouver
Browse by tag
AF
ADANA
ASEC
AFIN
AMGT
AE
AORC
AID
AR
AO
AU
ASEAN
AGOA
AFGHANISTAN
AFFAIRS
AMED
APER
ASECARP
APEC
AEMR
AS
AA
ANET
AFLU
ABLD
AL
ASUP
AJ
APECO
AMER
ABUD
AODE
AM
AFSN
AESC
AND
AG
ALOW
AROC
AVIANFLU
ATRN
ACOA
AEGR
AMGMT
AADP
AFSI
ACABQ
APRM
AZ
AIDS
ASE
AGAO
ADCO
ABDALLAH
ARF
AIDAC
ACOTA
ASCH
AC
ASEG
AGR
ACS
AMCHAMS
AN
AMIA
ASIG
ADPM
ADB
ANARCHISTS
ALOWAR
ARM
AUC
AINF
AINT
AORG
AY
AVIAN
AMEDCASCKFLO
AK
ARSO
ARABBL
ASO
ANTITERRORISM
ARABL
AOWC
AGRICULTURE
ALJAZEERA
AMTC
AFINM
AOCR
ABER
ARR
AFPK
ASSEMBLY
ASSK
AZE
AORCYM
AINR
AGMT
AEC
ACKM
APRC
AIN
ASCC
AFPREL
ASED
APERTH
ASFC
ASECTH
AFSA
AOMS
AORCO
ANTXON
ARC
AFAF
ADIP
AIAG
AFARI
AEMED
AORL
AX
ASECAF
AOPC
ASECAFIN
AFZAL
APCS
AMB
AGUIRRE
AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL
AIT
ARCH
AMEX
ALI
AQ
ATFN
AMBASSADOR
AORCD
AVIATION
ARAS
AINFCY
ACBAQ
AOPR
AREP
ALEXANDER
ATRD
AEIR
AOIC
ABLDG
ASEX
AFR
ASCE
ATRA
ASEK
AER
ALOUNI
AMCT
AVERY
APR
AMAT
AEMRS
ASPA
AFU
AMG
ATPDEA
ALL
AECL
ACAO
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AORD
AFL
AME
ADM
ASECPHUM
AGIT
ABT
ASECVE
AGUILAR
AT
ABMC
ALZUGUREN
ANGEL
ASR
ANTONIO
BMGT
BEXP
BM
BG
BL
BA
BR
BTA
BO
BY
BBSR
BLUE
BK
BF
BTIO
BELLVIEW
BE
BU
BN
BH
BD
BC
BTC
BILAT
BT
BX
BRUSSELS
BP
BB
BRPA
BUSH
BURMA
BMENA
BESP
BIT
BBG
BGD
BMEAID
BAGHDAD
BEN
BIO
BMOT
BWC
BLUNT
BURNS
BUT
BGMT
BAIO
BCW
BOEHNER
BFIF
BOL
BASHAR
BIMSTEC
BOU
BIDEN
BZ
BFIN
BTRA
BI
BHUM
BOIKO
BERARDUCCI
BOUCHAIB
BORDER
BEXPC
BTIU
BTT
BIOS
BEXB
BGPGOV
BOND
BLR
CE
CG
CH
CVR
CASC
CU
CI
CD
CO
CDG
CB
CJAN
CPAS
COM
CVIS
CMGT
CT
CENTCOM
CNARC
CTERR
COUNTER
CHIEF
CDC
CTR
CBW
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CY
CA
CM
CS
CWC
CN
CITES
CF
CWG
CIVS
CFIS
CASCC
CROATIA
CONS
COUNTERTERRORISM
CASA
COE
CJ
CHR
CODEL
CR
CBC
CACS
CHERTOFF
CAS
CONTROL
CONDITIONS
CONDOLEEZZA
CITEL
CV
CLINTON
CHG
CZ
CON
CTBT
CEN
CRIMES
COMMERCE
CLOK
CRISTINA
CFED
CARC
CND
CTM
CARICOM
COUNTRYCLEARANCE
CBTH
CHINA
CSW
CICTE
CJUS
CYPRUS
CW
CAMBODIA
CENSUS
CIDA
CRIME
CBG
CBE
CMGMT
CAIO
CEC
CARSON
CPCTC
CEDAW
COMESA
CVIA
CWCM
CEA
COSI
CAPC
CGEN
COPUOS
CGOPRC
COETRD
CKGR
CFE
CQ
CITT
CIC
CARIB
CVIC
CLO
CAFTA
CVISU
CHRISTOPHER
CACM
CIAT
CDB
CIS
CUL
CHAO
CNC
CL
CSEP
COMMAND
CENTER
COL
CAN
CAJC
CUIS
CONSULAR
CLMT
CIA
CBSA
CEUDA
CAC
CROS
CIO
CPUOS
CKOR
CVPR
CONG
CONTROLS
CEPTER
CVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGKIRF
CDCE
DPOL
DEMARCHE
DHS
DR
DA
DISENGAGEMENT
DEMOCRATIC
DEFENSE
DJ
DY
DARFUR
DHRF
DEA
DTRO
DPRK
DO
DARFR
DOC
DRL
DK
DOJ
DTRA
DOMESTIC
DAC
DOD
DEAX
DIEZ
DEOC
DELTAVIOLENCE
DCOM
DMINE
DRC
DCG
DPKO
DOMESTICPOLITICS
DE
DB
DOT
DEPT
DOE
DHLAKAMA
DHSX
DS
DKEM
DAO
DCM
DANIEL
DEM
DAVID
DCRM
ETRD
EAGR
ETTC
EAID
ECON
EFIN
ECIN
EINV
ELAB
EAIR
ENRG
EPET
EWWT
ECPS
EIND
EMIN
ELTN
EC
ETMIN
EUC
EZ
ET
ELECTIONS
ENVR
EU
EUN
EG
EINT
ER
ECONOMICS
ES
EMS
ENIV
EEB
EN
ECE
ECOSOC
EK
ENVIRONMENT
EFIS
EI
EWT
ENGRD
ECPSN
EXIM
EIAD
ERIN
ECPC
EDEV
ENGY
ECTRD
EPA
ESTH
ECCT
EINVECON
ENGR
ERTD
EUR
EAP
EWWC
ELTD
EL
EXIMOPIC
EXTERNAL
ETRDEC
ESCAP
ECO
EGAD
ELNT
ECONOMIC
ENV
ETRN
EIAR
EUMEM
ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID
EREL
ECOM
ECONETRDEAGRJA
ETCC
ETRG
ECONOMY
EMED
ETR
ENERG
EITC
EFINOECD
EURM
EENG
ERA
EXPORT
ENRD
ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC
EGEN
EBRD
EVIN
ETRAD
ECOWAS
EFTA
ECONETRDBESPAR
EGOVSY
EPIN
EID
ECONENRG
EDRC
ESENV
ETT
EB
ENER
ELTNSNAR
ECHEVARRIA
ETRC
EPIT
EDUC
ESA
EFI
ENRGY
ESCI
EE
EAIDXMXAXBXFFR
EETC
ECIP
EIAID
EIVN
EBEXP
ESTN
EING
EGOV
ETRA
EPETEIND
ELAN
ETRDGK
EAIDRW
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
EPEC
ENVI
ELN
EAG
EPCS
EPRT
EPTED
ETRB
EUM
EAIDS
EFIC
EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM
EAIDAR
ESF
EIDN
ELAM
EDU
EV
EAIDAF
ECN
EDA
EXBS
EINTECPS
ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ
EPREL
EAC
EINVEFIN
ETA
EAGER
EINDIR
ECA
ECLAC
ELAP
EITI
EUCOM
ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID
EARG
ELDIN
EINVKSCA
ENNP
EFINECONCS
EFINTS
ECCP
ETC
EAIRASECCASCID
EINN
ETRP
EAIDNI
EFQ
ECOQKPKO
EGPHUM
EBUD
ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ
ENERGY
ELB
EINDETRD
EMI
ECONEFIN
EIB
EURN
ETRDEINVTINTCS
EIN
EFIM
ETIO
ELAINE
EMN
EATO
EWTR
EIPR
EINVETC
ETTD
ETDR
EIQ
ECONCS
EPPD
ENRGIZ
EISL
ESPINOSA
ELEC
EAIG
ESLCO
EUREM
ENTG
ERD
EINVECONSENVCSJA
EEPET
EUNCH
ECINECONCS
ETRO
ETRDECONWTOCS
ECUN
EFND
EPECO
EAIRECONRP
ERGR
ETRDPGOV
ECPN
ENRGMO
EPWR
EET
EAIS
EAGRE
EDUARDO
EAGRRP
EAIDPHUMPRELUG
EICN
ECONQH
EVN
EGHG
ELBR
EINF
EAIDHO
EENV
ETEX
ERNG
ED
FR
FREEDOM
FINREF
FJ
FI
FRELIMO
FOREIGN
FAA
FETHI
FAS
FTAA
FRB
FAO
FCS
FINANCE
FWS
FTA
FEMA
FDA
FLU
FRANCISCO
FBI
FORCE
FO
FARC
FK
FT
FCSC
FAC
FM
FMGT
FINV
FCSCEG
FARM
FERNANDO
FINR
FIN
FINE
FIR
FDIC
FOR
FOI
FCUL
FKLU
FMLN
FISO
FIXED
GM
GMUS
GG
GR
GE
GAZA
GT
GH
GZ
GJ
GLOBAL
GV
GABY
GOI
GA
GCC
GB
GY
GATT
GC
GUAM
GEORGE
GTIP
GOV
GOMEZ
GUTIERREZ
GL
GKGIC
GF
GU
GWI
GARCIA
GTMO
GN
GANGS
GIPNC
GAERC
GREGG
GUILLERMO
GASPAR
GERARD
GI
HK
HR
HUMANR
HUMAN
HO
HA
HUMANRIGHTS
HU
HHS
HIV
HUM
HRKAWC
HILLEN
HILLARY
HDP
HUMRIT
HSTC
HUMANITARIAN
HCOPIL
HADLEY
HURI
HL
HRETRD
HOURANI
HG
HARRIET
HESHAM
HI
HNCHR
HARRY
HRECON
HRC
HOSTAGES
HEBRON
HUMOR
HSWG
HYMPSK
HECTOR
HN
HYDE
HUD
HRPGOV
HIGHLIGHTS
ID
ILC
IS
IZ
ICAO
IMO
ITU
IR
IAEA
ICRC
IPROP
IT
IBRD
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ISSUES
ITRA
IV
IO
IGAD
IRAQ
IN
IMF
ICTR
ISCON
IADB
IDB
IEA
INR
IWC
ICCAT
ILO
INMARSAT
IOM
ICJ
IQ
ISPA
ITRD
IPR
INTELSAT
ISN
IAHRC
INTERNAL
IFAD
IICA
IHO
IRAN
IL
IRCE
IC
INTELLECTUAL
IRM
IE
ICTY
IDLI
IFO
ISCA
INF
INL
ISRAEL
INV
IBB
INFLUENZA
ISPL
ITER
ITIA
INRA
ISAF
IACHR
INTERPOL
IFR
IRS
INRB
IEF
ISAAC
ICC
INDO
IIP
IATTC
INAUGURATION
IND
INS
IZPREL
IACI
IEFIN
INNP
ILAB
IA
IMTS
ITALY
ITALIAN
IFIN
IRAJ
IX
ICG
IF
ITPHUM
ITA
IP
IACW
IK
IUCN
IZEAID
IRPE
IDA
ISLAMISTS
ITF
INRO
IBET
IDP
IRC
ISO
ICES
IRMO
ITPGOV
IQNV
IMSO
IRDB
IMET
INCB
IFRC
JA
JO
JP
JM
JCIC
JOHN
JE
JEFFERY
JS
JUS
JN
JOHNNIE
JAMES
JKUS
JOSEPH
JML
JAWAD
JSRP
JIMENEZ
JOSE
JKJUS
JK
JAPAN
KMDR
KPAO
KPKO
KJUS
KCRM
KGHG
KFRD
KWMN
KDEM
KTFN
KHIV
KGIC
KIDE
KSCA
KNNP
KHUM
KIPR
KSUM
KISL
KIRF
KCOR
KRCM
KPAL
KWBG
KN
KS
KOMC
KSEP
KFLU
KPWR
KTIA
KSEO
KMPI
KHLS
KICC
KSTH
KMCA
KVPR
KPRM
KE
KU
KZ
KFLO
KSAF
KTIP
KTEX
KBCT
KOCI
KOLY
KOR
KAWC
KACT
KUNR
KTDB
KSTC
KLIG
KSKN
KNN
KCFE
KCIP
KGHA
KHDP
KPOW
KUNC
KDRL
KV
KPREL
KCRS
KPOL
KRVC
KRIM
KGIT
KWIR
KT
KIRC
KOMO
KRFD
KUWAIT
KG
KFIN
KSCI
KTFIN
KFTN
KGOV
KPRV
KSAC
KGIV
KCRIM
KPIR
KSOC
KBIO
KW
KGLB
KMWN
KPO
KFSC
KSEAO
KSTCPL
KSI
KPRP
KREC
KFPC
KUNH
KCSA
KMRS
KNDP
KR
KICCPUR
KPPAO
KCSY
KTBT
KCIS
KNEP
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KNNB
KGCC
KINR
KPOP
KMFO
KENV
KNAR
KVIR
KDRG
KDMR
KFCE
KNAO
KDEN
KGCN
KICA
KIMMITT
KMCC
KLFU
KMSG
KSEC
KUM
KCUL
KMNP
KSMT
KCOM
KOMCSG
KSPR
KPMI
KRAD
KIND
KCRP
KAUST
KWAWC
KTER
KCHG
KRDP
KPAS
KITA
KTSC
KPAOPREL
KWGB
KIRP
KJUST
KMIG
KLAB
KTFR
KSEI
KSTT
KAPO
KSTS
KLSO
KWNN
KPOA
KHSA
KNPP
KPAONZ
KBTS
KWWW
KY
KJRE
KPAOKMDRKE
KCRCM
KSCS
KWMNCI
KESO
KWUN
KPLS
KIIP
KEDEM
KPAOY
KRIF
KGICKS
KREF
KTRD
KFRDSOCIRO
KTAO
KJU
KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW
KEN
KO
KNEI
KEMR
KKIV
KEAI
KWAC
KRCIM
KWCI
KFIU
KWIC
KCORR
KOMS
KNNO
KPAI
KBWG
KTTB
KTBD
KTIALG
KILS
KFEM
KTDM
KESS
KNUC
KPA
KOMCCO
KCEM
KRCS
KWBGSY
KNPPIS
KNNPMNUC
KWN
KERG
KLTN
KALM
KCCP
KSUMPHUM
KREL
KGH
KLIP
KTLA
KAWK
KWMM
KVRP
KVRC
KAID
KSLG
KDEMK
KX
KIF
KNPR
KCFC
KFTFN
KTFM
KPDD
KCERS
KMOC
KDEMAF
KMEPI
KEMS
KDRM
KEPREL
KBTR
KEDU
KNP
KIRL
KNNR
KMPT
KISLPINR
KTPN
KA
KJUSTH
KPIN
KDEV
KTDD
KAKA
KFRP
KWNM
KTSD
KINL
KJUSKUNR
KWWMN
KECF
KWBC
KPRO
KVBL
KOM
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KEDM
KFLD
KLPM
KRGY
KNNF
KICR
KIFR
KM
KWMNCS
KAWS
KLAP
KPAK
KDDG
KCGC
KID
KNSD
KMPF
KPFO
KDP
KCMR
KRMS
KNPT
KNNNP
KTIAPARM
KDTB
KNUP
KPGOV
KNAP
KNNC
KUK
KSRE
KREISLER
KIVP
KQ
KTIAEUN
KPALAOIS
KRM
KISLAO
KWM
KFLOA
LE
LU
LH
LA
LG
LO
LY
LANTERN
LI
LABOR
LORAN
LTTE
LT
LAS
LAB
LAW
LVPR
LARREA
LEBIK
LAURA
LS
LOTT
LOVE
LR
LEON
LAVIN
LGAT
LV
LAOS
LOG
LN
LB
MOPS
MO
MARR
ML
MASS
MZ
MR
MNUC
MX
MV
MCC
MY
MEDIA
MTCRE
MG
MCAP
MOPPS
MP
MI
MK
MC
MD
MA
MU
MASC
MW
MT
MEPP
MN
MTCR
MH
MEPI
MIL
MNUCPTEREZ
MMAR
MICHAEL
MUNC
MDC
MPOS
MONUC
MAR
MGMT
MAS
MEPN
MENDIETA
MARIA
MONTENEGRO
MOOPS
MSG
MARITIME
MURRAY
MUKASEY
MOTO
MCA
MFO
MEX
MRSEC
MMED
MACP
MAAR
MINUSTAH
MCCONNELL
MAPP
MGT
MARQUEZ
MANUEL
MNUR
MCCAIN
MF
MOHAMMAD
MOHAMED
MNU
MFA
MILITANTS
MINORITIES
MTS
MLS
MILI
MIAH
MEETINGS
MERCOSUR
MED
MARAD
MNVC
MINURSO
MNUCUN
MIK
MARK
MBM
MPP
MILITARY
MAPS
MNUK
MILA
MTRRE
MACEDONIA
MICHEL
MASSMNUC
MUCN
MQADHAFI
MPS
MARRGH
MRCRE
MTRE
MORALES
MAP
MCTRE
MHUC
MOPSGRPARM
MOROCCO
MCAPS
NL
NU
NS
NI
NPT
NATO
NO
NG
NATEU
NSF
NZ
NAS
NP
NDP
NLD
NGO
NEPAD
NAFTA
NASA
NEA
NGUYEN
NIH
NK
NIPP
NONE
NR
NANCY
NEGROPONTE
NRR
NERG
NSSP
NSG
NSFO
NE
NATSIOS
NFSO
NATIONAL
NTDB
NT
NCD
NTSB
NRC
NELSON
NAM
NH
NPG
NEC
NSC
NFATC
NMFS
NATOIRAQ
NAR
NZUS
NARC
NCCC
NA
NC
NEW
NRG
NUIN
NOVO
NATOPREL
NEY
NV
NICHOLAS
NPA
NW
NARCOTICS
NORAD
NOAA
NON
NTTC
NKNNP
NMNUC
NUMBERING
ODIP
OIIP
OPRC
OSCE
OREP
OTRA
OPET
OSCI
OVIP
OECD
OCII
OUALI
OPDC
OEXC
OFPD
OPIC
OFDP
OPCW
OECV
OAS
OM
OMIG
ODAG
OPREP
ORA
OIC
OEXCSCULKPAO
OIG
OASS
OFFICIALS
ORTA
OSAC
OIL
OIE
OEXP
OPEC
OPDAT
OMS
OES
OHI
OMAR
OCRA
OFSO
OCBD
OSTA
OAO
ONA
OTP
ORC
OAU
OXEC
OA
ODPC
OPDP
OVIPPRELUNGANU
OASC
OSHA
OPCD
OTR
OPPI
OPCR
OF
OFDPQIS
OSIC
OHUM
OSTRA
OASCC
OBSP
OFDA
OPICEAGR
OIM
OGAC
OTA
OTRAORP
OPPC
OESC
OCEA
OVP
ON
OPAD
OTAR
OCS
ODC
OTRD
OCED
OSD
ORUE
OREG
PHUM
PINR
PTER
PGOV
PREL
PREF
PL
PM
PHSA
PE
PARM
PINS
PK
PUNE
PO
PALESTINIAN
PU
PBTS
PROP
PTBS
POL
POLI
PA
PGOVZI
POLMIL
POLITICAL
PARTIES
POLM
PD
POLITICS
POLICY
PAS
PMIL
PINT
PNAT
PV
PKO
PPOL
PERSONS
PING
PBIO
PH
PETR
PARMS
PRES
PCON
PETERS
PRELBR
PT
PLAB
PP
PAK
PDEM
PKPA
PSOCI
PF
PLO
PTERM
PJUS
PSOE
PELOSI
PROPERTY
PGOVPREL
PARP
PRL
PNIR
PHUMKPAL
PG
PREZ
PGIC
PBOV
PAO
PKK
PROV
PHSAK
PHUMPREL
PROTECTION
PGOVBL
PSI
PRELPK
PGOVENRG
PUM
PRELKPKO
PATTY
PSOC
PRIVATIZATION
PRELSP
PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ
PMIG
PREC
PAIGH
PROG
PSHA
PARK
PETER
POG
PHUS
PPREL
PS
PTERPREL
PRELPGOV
POV
PKPO
PGOVECON
POUS
PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN
PWBG
PMAR
PREM
PAR
PNR
PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO
PARMIR
PGOVGM
PHUH
PARTM
PN
PRE
PTE
PY
POLUN
PPEL
PDOV
PGOVSOCI
PIRF
PGOVPM
PBST
PRELEVU
PGOR
PBTSRU
PRM
PRELKPAOIZ
PGVO
PERL
PGOC
PAGR
PMIN
PHUMR
PVIP
PPD
PGV
PRAM
PINL
PKPAL
PTERE
PGOF
PINO
PHAS
PODC
PRHUM
PHUMA
PREO
PPA
PEPFAR
PGO
PRGOV
PAC
PRESL
PORG
PKFK
PEPR
PRELP
PREFA
PNG
PGOVPHUMKPAO
PRELECON
PINOCHET
PFOR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PRELC
PREK
PHUME
PHJM
POLINT
PGOVPZ
PGOVKCRM
PGOVE
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PECON
PEACE
PROCESS
PLN
PRELSW
PAHO
PEDRO
PRELA
PASS
PPAO
PGPV
PNUM
PCUL
PGGV
PSA
PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA
PGIV
PRFE
POGOV
PEL
PBT
PAMQ
PINF
PSEPC
POSTS
PHUMPGOV
PVOV
PHSAPREL
PROLIFERATION
PENA
PRELTBIOBA
PIN
PRELL
PGOVPTER
PHAM
PHYTRP
PTEL
PTERPGOV
PHARM
PROTESTS
PRELAF
PKBL
PRELKPAO
PKNP
PARMP
PHUML
PFOV
PERM
PUOS
PRELGOV
PHUMPTER
PARAGRAPH
PERURENA
PBTSEWWT
PCI
PETROL
PINSO
PINSCE
PQL
PEREZ
PBS
RS
REFUGEES
RW
RP
RELFREE
RO
REGIONAL
RIGHTS
REACTION
REPORT
RU
RENAMO
RIGHTSPOLMIL
REFORM
RM
REFUGEE
REL
RELATIONS
ROW
RREL
REGION
RATIFICATION
RBI
RICE
ROOD
RODENAS
RUIZ
RODHAM
ROBERT
RGY
ROY
REUBEN
RELIGIOUS
RUEHZO
RODRIGUEZ
RUEUN
RELAM
RSP
RF
RSO
RCMP
REO
ROSS
RPTS
RENE
REID
RUPREL
RMA
RI
REMON
RPEL
RFE
RFIN
RA
RAFAEL
RAY
RUS
RPREL
ROBERTG
RECIN
RAMONTEIJELO
SNAR
SP
SN
SMIG
SL
SOCI
SU
SG
SF
SENV
SZ
SOE
SCUL
SY
SO
SR
SYR
SE
SA
SW
SIPDIS
SCIENCE
SADC
SI
SCI
SOCIETY
SC
SAARC
STR
SECRETARY
SANC
SSH
ST
SNA
SGWI
SEP
SOCIS
SETTLEMENTS
SPECIALIST
SK
SHUM
START
STET
SCVL
SREF
SCHUL
SCUIL
SYRIA
SECURITY
SPCE
SYAI
SMIL
SOWGC
STEPHEN
SNRV
SKCA
SENSITIVE
SECI
SNAP
SPP
SCUD
SOM
SPECI
SMIGBG
SENC
SCRM
SGNV
SECTOR
SENVEAGREAIDTBIOECONSOCIXR
SENVSXE
SASIAIN
SACU
SENVSPL
SWMN
STEINBERG
SOPN
SOCR
SCOI
SCRS
SILVASANDE
SWE
SARS
SNARIZ
SUDAN
SENVQGR
SM
SNARKTFN
SAAD
SD
SAN
SIPRNET
STATE
SENS
SUBJECT
SFNV
SECSTATE
SSA
SPCVIS
SOI
SOFA
SCULKPAOECONTU
SPTER
SKSAF
SENVKGHG
SHI
SEVN
SANR
SPSTATE
SMITH
SCOM
SH
SNARCS
SNARN
SIPRS
SNARM
SIPDI
SCPR
SNIG
SELAB
SULLIVAN
SENVENV
SECDEF
SOLIC
SOIC
SPAS
SASC
SOSI
SEC
SEN
SENVCASCEAIDID
TU
TH
TW
TSPA
TRGY
TPHY
TBIO
TIFA
TS
TZ
TX
TSPL
TT
TK
TC
TINT
TERFIN
TERRORISM
TIP
TURKEY
TI
TECHNOLOGY
TNGD
TRSY
TRAFFICKING
TOPEC
TPSL
TP
TD
TR
TA
TIO
TREATY
TO
THPY
TECH
TRADE
TPSA
TG
TAGS
TF
TRAD
THKSJA
TVBIO
TNDG
TN
TBIOZK
TWI
TV
TWL
TRT
TWRO
TSRY
TTPGOV
TAUSCHER
TRBY
TRBIO
TL
TPKO
TIA
TGRY
TSPAM
TREL
TNAR
TBI
TFIN
TPHYPA
TWCH
THOMMA
THOMAS
TERROR
TRY
TBID
TPP
TE
THANH
TJ
TBKIO
UNGA
USUN
UN
UG
UNSC
UK
UP
US
UNCTAD
UNVIE
UNHRC
USTR
UNAMA
UNCRIME
UNESCO
UV
UNDP
UNHCR
UNCSD
UNCHR
UZ
USAID
UNEP
UNO
UNPUOS
UY
UNDC
UNCITRAL
UNAUS
UNCND
UA
UNMIK
USTDA
USEU
USDA
UNICEF
UR
UNFICYP
USNC
USTRRP
UNODC
UNRWA
UNOMIG
USTRPS
USAU
USCC
UNEF
UNGAPL
UNFPA
UNSCE
USSC
UGA
UEU
UNMIC
UNTAC
UNION
UNCLASSIFIED
USPS
UNA
UMIK
USOAS
UNMOVIC
UNFA
UNAIDS
UNCHC
USGS
UNSE
UNRCR
UNTERR
USG
UE
UAE
UNWRA
UNCSW
UNSCR
UNCHS
UNDESCO
UNPAR
UNC
UB
UNSCS
UKXG
UNGACG
UNREST
UNHR
USPTO
UNFCYP
USCG
UNIDROIT
UNSCD
UPU
UNBRO
UNECE
USTRUWR
UNCC
UNESCOSCULPRELPHUMKPALCUIRXFVEKV
VM
VE
VT
VETTING
VN
VZ
VIS
VC
VTPREL
VIP
VTEAID
VTEG
VOA
VA
VTIZ
VANG
VISIT
VO
VENZ
VAT
VI
VEPREL
VEN
WFP
WTO
WHO
WTRO
WBG
WMO
WIPO
WA
WI
WSIS
WHA
WCL
WE
WMN
WEBZ
WS
WAR
WZ
WMD
WW
WILLIAM
WEET
WAEMU
WM
WWBG
WWT
WWARD
WITH
WMDT
WTRQ
WCO
WEU
WALTER
WRTO
WB
WHTI
WBEG
WCI
WEF
WAKI
WHOA
WGC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 07LIMA1451, MAHOGANY IN PERU: A PRIMER
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. #07LIMA1451.
| Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 07LIMA1451 | 2007-04-18 22:43 | 2011-08-25 00:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Lima |
VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHPE #1451/01 1082243
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 182243Z APR 07
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 5115
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 4565
RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 7294
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 2853
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0306
RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 0517
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ APR PARAMARIBO 0153
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 1150
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 1222
RUEHRC/DEPT OF AGRICULTURE WASHINGTON DC
RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC
RUEHC/DEPT OF INTERIOR WASHINGTON DC
UNCLAS LIMA 001451
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/AND, EPSC AND OES/ETC,ENV
BRASILIA FOR ESTH HUB - J STORY
USAID FOR LAC, EGAT, J.Kunen
USDA FOR /AS/FAA/BAILEY,/FAS/ITP/FSTSD/BREHM,/FS/MAYHE W
INTERIOR FOR USFWS/GABRIEL,ST.JOHN
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAGR SENV ETRD EAID ECON PE
SUBJECT: MAHOGANY IN PERU: A PRIMER
REF: (A) Lima 707 (B) Lima 658 (C) Lima 4528 (D) Lima 4289
¶1. SUMMARY: This cable lays out the basic facts of traded mahogany
wood in Peru. 2006 Mahogany exports were worth about $30 million,
about 17% of all timber exported. Approximately 90% of all exported
mahogany goes to the U.S market. Mahogany is an Appendix II species
under the International Endangered Species Convention (CITES),
allowing trade but requiring the exporting nation to assure the
legal acquisition of exports and non-detrimental impact to the
species. In Peru, legal acquisition has become controversial due to
persistent illegal logging, corruption and poor
regulatory/enforcement oversight, despite the GOP's efforts to
improve control and regulation of the forest sector as well as
promote sustainable forest management in forest concessions and
indigenous lands. The issue is complicated by remoteness of
logging areas and the almost complete lack of state presence. The
GOP recently reduced its 2007 mahogany export quota. Non-detriment
findings by CITES will be helped by completing a comprehensive
inventory of mahogany in Peru currently underway. Post has also
been working on avenues to support the GOP's stated aim to
sustainably manage mahogany, which include independent certification
of origin and chain of custody.
END SUMMARY.
MAHOGANY RANGE IN PERU
---------------------------------------------
¶2. Throughout this cable, mahogany refers to Broad - (or Big-)
leafed mahogany, a neotropical hardwood naturally occurring from
Mexico to Bolivia. It is a large tree (up to 50 meters tall and two
meters in diameter) and found in singular stands (one to ten trees
per hectare). Unlike most tropical hardwoods, it has a high unit
value and unique properties prized for furniture, due to its
workability and quality of finish. The ecological requirements of
the species have not been fully studied, but some data exists.
¶3. In its natural state, big leaf mahogany is relatively slow
growing (120 - 150 years to maturity), however in plantations which
have been established in South Pacific and Southeast Asian countries
it does well and is relatively fast growing (40 - 60 years to
maturity). In its natural range in the Americas, it is attacked by a
boring arthropod (Hypsipyla grandella) which greatly limits its
natural regeneration and limits its possibilities for plantations.
For this reason, throughout its natural range mahogany has been
harvested from wild populations. Mahogany has reportedly been
mostly logged out in its original natural range and is considered
commercially extinct in all countries except Brazil and Peru. With
Brazil's ban on mahogany exports, Peru is the leading mahogany
exporter.
COMPREHENSIVE INVENTORY FINISHED IN 2008
----------------------------------------
¶4. Mahogany was naturally found throughout the Amazonian basin in
Peru, but after logging and other deforestation now only exists in
significant commercial quantities in parts of Loreto, Ucayali and
Madre de Dios regions, with the highest concentrations along the
Brazilian border in Madre de Dios region. Mahogany is found mostly
in Protected Areas and indigenous lands. A comprehensive, up-to-date
inventory of the Peruvian mahogany does not yet exist, due in part
to the difficulty of access to its range and the large number of
man-hours needed to inventory a huge area. The latest estimate of
the total mahogany population in Peru, made by the National
Agricultural University La Molina (UNALM), and based on its recent
inventories of two departments and extrapolated to the rest of its
estimated range, is approximately 88,000 mature trees. However,
this figure may be revised, as the national inventory of mahogany is
still on-going and should be completed by 2008.
INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION - CITES
--------------------------------
¶5. Peru signed the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in 1975. CITES' three
appendixes list species according to their vulnerability. In 2002,
the CITES parties (including the U.S.) agreed to include mahogany in
Appendix II, which regulates species that are not necessarily
threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled to
avoid use incompatible with their survival; international trade is
possible when protective measures are taken to guarantee that trade
is legal (legal acquisition) and that the trade does not cause
detriment to species survival. Voluntary Export quotas are a
management tool for "range" (where mahogany is found) countries to
assure legal acquisition and non-detriment.
¶6. Appendix II range countries designate a Management Authority and
a Scientific Authority to comply with CITES requirements. The
authorities reside in the same agency in some nations, such as the
U.S. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and Brazil (IBAMA). In Peru,
the GOP designated its agency National Institute of Natural
Resources (INRENA) as the Management and the National Agrarian
University (UNALM) as the Scientific Authorities; at UNALM Forestry
Engineer Ignacio Lombardi directs the activities of the scientific
authority and in INRENA management responsibility lies in the
Biodiversity Unit. Commercial international trade may take place
only if the Management Authority issues an export permit - and no
such permits should be issued unless the Scientific Authority of the
exporting State advises that the trade which is to take place will
not be detrimental to survival. The finding of "non-detriment" is
linked to each export permit. In Peru the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs also signs export permits.
¶7. The CITES Secretariat (which manages Convention implementation)
and member nations established a Mahogany Working Group (MWG) as
part of the Plants Committee. Last year, the MWG considered placing
mahogany into "significant trade review," a mechanism under which
since 1979 the Plants Committees has a mandate to identify
Appendix-II species that are subject to significant levels of trade;
the Committee can make recommendations for action by the range State
to avoid a recommendation that the species be transferred from
Appendix II to Appendix I, meaning that all trade is banned.
¶8. While the Secretariat in 2006 proposed considering a ban on
mahogany exports from Peru, or failing that a Significant Trade
Review, the MWG and the Standing Committee did not agree and Peru
was permitted to continue exporting mahogany. Peru agreed to
improve management measures. A delegation from the Secretariat
recently finished a visit to assess Peru's progress. A meeting of
the Standing Committee is scheduled for June 2, followed by the
Conference of the Parties (COP) on June 3. While mahogany will
probably be on the Standing Committee's agenda, it is not clear yet
if it will be on the COP agenda.
¶9. The extent to which Scientific Authority UNALM has issued
effective non-detriment findings is a topic of debate among CITES
members, the Secretariat and NGO observers. According to UNALM, non
detriment findings can be made for each shipment as required by
CITES, as the volume of individual shipments are not detrimental.
Critics claim that UNALM has not issued effective non-detriment
findings due to need to consider the totality of exports rather than
individual shipments, and the lack of valid scientific information,
including incomplete inventories. Procedures and criteria for the
issuance of non detrimental findings are currently being debated in
Peru, with a view to a pronouncement in April 2007.
MAHOGANY HARVEST IN PERU
------------------------
¶10. In Peru, mahogany plantations are negligible. Wild trees are
generally harvested with chainsaws using riverine access or roads if
they exist. Logs are skidded with basic machinery to riverine
transport to sawmills in Peru's jungle cities such as Pucallpa,
Puerto Maldonado or Iquitos. Legal harvest requires a national
permit from INRENA, the natural resources agency (responsible for
protected areas and wildlife as well as forest management) under the
authority of the Ministry of Agriculture. INRENA issues two types of
harvest permits, to commercial concessionaires as well as to
indigenous communities. Another agency, OSINFOR, is responsible for
overseeing the issuance of permits and their compliance; OSINFOR's
Director reports to the Director of INRENA, which has resulted in
criticism that there is no independent oversight of the mahogany
concession process.
MAHOGANY TRADE FROM PERU
-------------------------
¶11. Wood products exports from Peru are only a small part of the
value of overall exports, but wood represents a large percentage of
exports from the jungle departments such as Loreto, Madre de Dios
and Ucayali. Within wood exports, mahogany is similarly a
relatively small percentage. With around half of Peru's territory
forested, wood exports have a high potential for growth with many
currently and potentially valuable species growing alongside
mahogany. The value of mahogany exports has increased little, from
$50.8 million in 2004, $58 million in 2005 to $52 million in 2006.
Compared to its neighbors, the value of exports are still in
infancy: Brazil's 2006 wood products exports were reportedly $6
billion and Chile's $3.5 billion. Over 80% of Peru's mahogany
exports go to the U.S., exported by six Peruvian firms and imported
by a number of U.S. import firms.
¶12. Documented mahogany exports have dropped considerably in the
last decade. Mahogany is exported primarily as sawn wood, but there
are exports of finished products such as furniture as well.
Documented mahogany exports have experienced flow and ebb over the
past ten years:
1996- 100,000 m3;
2000- 36,548 m3
2002- 52,137 m3
2004- 30,785
2005 - 23,621 m3
2006 - 21,802 m3 (worth around $30 million)
EIGHTY-TWO PERCENT OF EXPORTS GO TO U.S.
---------------------------------------
¶13. Of 2006 mahogany exports, at least 82% went to the U.S.,
followed by 12% to the Dominican Republic. As some mahogany
processed in markets such as the Dominican Republic is re-exported
as furniture to the U.S., some estimates put more than 90% of total
exports ultimately arriving in the U.S. market. China's market for
Peruvian timber is growing considerably, but at this time mahogany
exports to China are limited. Mahogany was once the major part of
Peru's wood exports, but for 2006 was 16% and for 2007 industry
exporters estimate that mahogany will account for only 8% of wood
exports as other species become more commercially valuable and are
successfully exploited.
THE CONCESSIONING PROCESS
-------------------------
¶14. For commercial logging on government lands, INRENA makes a
determination to allow cutting in a particular section and issues a
public request for bids, to result in a concession for 40 years.
(Note: some years ago concessions were for only two years; a 40 year
concession is intended to motivate the concessionaire to sustainably
manage the concession. End Note.) In practice, INRENA does not
investigate the bona fides of bidders, but relies on submitted bid
documents. After awarding a bid to cut a given parcel, the awardee
must file a forest commercial species inventory, an annual operating
plan (POA), and a general forest management plan for the entire
concession. POAs must specify the amount of mahogany (and other
species) that will be taken from a tract, but INRENA does not impose
a quota per tract. The quota comes into play only at the export
stage; as a result there may be more mahogany cut than the quota,
but it would have to be stored until the next year once the quota
has been reached. Data on mahogany wood production not for export
has been difficult to obtain.
¶15. As a result of the 2000 General Forestry Law, which sought to
modernize forestry, the GOP has concessioned close to 7.2 million
hectares out of the approximate 65 million hectares of forest land
in Peru. Critics point to weaknesses in the concessioning process,
including lack of transparency in the issuance of awards; lack of
clear criteria for selection, lack of financial/investment capacity
and technical expertise by awardees and land conflicts between
concessionaires and indigenous landowners; there have been calls for
cancellation of many of the concessions and for a re-organization of
the entire process. INRENA has put further concessioning on hold
until these issues are resolved.
¶16. In addition to forest concessions, INRENA also issues
authorization to indigenous communities and small agricultural
holdings for felling of timber. Indigenous communities follow the
same procedures as those for concessions, with the presentation of
forest inventories, general forest management plans and annual
operating plans. Approximately 3,200 indigenous communities have
legal land title to an estimated 9 million hectares in the Peruvian
Amazon. The GOP, international donors and NGO's have tried in
recent years to help indigenous peoples sustainably manage their
forest resources. Observers have long reported unsustainable
logging practices take place on indigenous lands by commercial
loggers who reportedly exploit indigenous peoples with predatory
contract labor practices, playing on local ignorance of forestry and
labor regulations.
INRENA's EXPORT QUOTA
---------------------
¶17. INRENA began setting quotas in 2005, set in cubic meters (m3) of
sawn wood:
2005 -- 23,621m3
2006 -- 23,239m3 (Note: actual exports were 21,802)
2007 -- 13,476m3
In 2006 a total of 21,802 m3 were exported, less than the quota.
While a radical cut from historical exports and the 2006 quota, it
remains controversial (Ref A) and UNALM has made a preliminary
recommendation that the quota be in trees: 1226 trees for an
estimated 11,769 m3.
¶18. To set the quota INRENA states that it uses a variety of
criteria: documented domestic stocks whose legality is randomly
verified; available data on populations, some of which is supplied
by permit holders for commercial concessions or indigenous community
cutting, and historical trends. INRENA uses in the first instance
annual operating plans as presented by forest concessionaires and
indigenous communities, which have been approved though in most
cases not yet verified. In addition, estimates of existing stocks
in warehouses are also used, based on information provided by the
principle mahogany exporters. This information is complemented by
further available data on populations as well as that provided by
the Scientific Authority UNALM.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
---------------
¶19. Under the GOP's management system, INRENA inspectors verify
mahogany in several stages: before approval of the POA; at control
points between logging areas and sawmills; at the sawmills; as sawn
wood; at its final destination for local sale or export. OSINFOR,
an independent agency responsible to the Prime Minister's office,
inspects forest concessions at various points to verify that
mahogany trees are being taken from a legal concession or indigenous
community. The tax agency SUNAT also inspects at the final
destination, and for mahogany, employees from INRENA's biodiversity
division verify before issuing a CITES export certificate. Some of
the personnel used to staff control points are contract employees.
INRENA has no law enforcement authority, which is employed by the
Ecological Division of the National Police. There are no special
law courts for illegal logging cases.
FOREST CERTIFICATON
-------------------
¶20. A joint USAID/GOP/NGO effort has resulted in certification of
close to 500,000 of the eight million concessioned (including
indigenous lands) hectares; Certification means that the NGO Forest
Stewardship Council (FSC), or its authorized auditors from other
NGOs certifies that a tract of land has been logged (with an annual
audit) with consideration for environmental, social and economic
considerations. FSC's website is http://www.fsc.org/esp. Within the
GOP the Minister of Agriculture and INRENA director have praised
certification as a positive management tool, but INRENA has not
required mahogany exports to come from certified tracts.
CONTROVERSIES IN EXPORT QUOTAS AND MANAGEMENT
---------------------------------------------
¶21. The 2007 national mahogany export quota has controversial
elements that have provoked criticism from NGOs, including some in
UNALM. 2007 quota is based on the 2006 harvest period. In 2006, 30%
of the quota was specifically allocated on the basis of POAs for the
harvest period 2006 (approximately 7,500 m3). When added to the
quota of 2007, which is exclusively based on the harvest period
2006, the total quota for the harvest period 2006 is arguably 21,000
m3. Critics allege that allowing 2006 POAs with pending
verification on site allows later verification to be conducted not
on the standing tree but on the stump; in that case trees could have
been cut before the legal time for the concession. The 2007 quota
does not provide for mahogany to be cut in 2007, which will harm
certified mahogany logging operations; this certified mahogany would
thus have to wait for export until 2008. While the quota considers
as criteria for exclusion from the quota areas with less than 2000
mature mahogany trees, closed areas are not identified. The
Scientific Authority has suggested that only mahogany from the
regions of Loreto, Ucayali and Madre de Dios should be exported, but
INRENA has not defined the quota by area. There are divergent
opinions between NGOs, the Scientific Authority and INRENA on the
number of mature trees available for harvest.
¶22. Longstanding criticisms of forest management include widespread
illegal logging of mahogany, enabled by: logging in non-concessioned
tracts and indigenous lands, corruption by INRENA inspectors and
document issuers, lack of police enforcement and poor results in the
judicial system for illegal logging cases. INRENA insists that
exports will be authorized only after field verification, but INRENA
has been criticized for inadequate verification in the past. There
has been little doubt that INRENA and the Ecological Police have
suffered from underfunding and understaffing.
GOP ACTIONS
-----------
¶23. While issues with mahogany take center stage due in part to its
place in U.S./Peru trade, its high value and CITES obligations,
mahogany is only a part of forestry issues in Peru. The current
government has been in office less than a year, but President
Garcia, the Minister of Agriculture and the INRENA Director have all
spoken publicly of the need to combat deforestation, replant
deforested areas, combat illegal logging and create a sustainable
forest products industry to benefit the poor in jungle regions.
INRENA is currently undergoing a massive reorganization to address
these issues. Among other steps, INRENA is planning to decentralize
forest management by assigning more responsibility for
identification of concession lands regional governments.
AVENUES FOR U.S. ASSISTANCE: WHAT TO DO?
-----------------------------------------
¶24. The CITES Secretariat representative made encouraging public
remarks about the GOP's progress in managing mahogany during his
recent visit, also making positive remarks about certification. The
GOP has publicly identified two million hectares of certified forest
as its objective by 2011. Post believes continued support for forest
certification is important for mahogany management but not enough.
USAID Lima's environmental program, with participation from State
Econ section, supports more effective central planning in INRENA.
Some recent USAID programs, such as technical support for a
computerized data entry system at the field level for INRENA
inspectors had to be terminated after corruption issues surfaced.
Anti-corruption programs are the primary focus of the Millennium
Challenge Corporation's plan for a Threshold Program in Peru. State
and USAID are working to organize training in environmental law
enforcement that would be useful for mahogany management. USDA is
exploring a capacity building effort with INRENA targeted to
mahogany management in conjunction with a community forestry
management project, funded by PL 480 resources. An aerial imaging
solution to inventorying mahogany has captured the interest of
INRENA, but it may be prohibitively expensive and of questionable
sustainability. Lastly, the private sector, both U.S. importers
and Peruvian exporters, appear willing to assist with certification
and other management measures, and they welcome USG input on where
to put their resources. Most agree that support for starting
sustainable plantations in deforested land would help Peru's economy
and reduce pressure on indigenous populations.
¶25. Post will work with Washington to ensure that the Work Plan for
the Environmental Cooperation Agreement between Peru and the U.S.
(which would go into force if the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
goes into force) would have has a prime focus programs to improve
mahogany management. Post welcomes other ideas on how to assist the
GOP, NGOs and other donor nations to ensure legal acquisition of and
non-detriment to mahogany.
STRUBLE