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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 08 GENEVA 001922 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR IO/T FOR G.ROBERTS 
STATE FOR IO/S FOR D.LEIS 
COMMERCE PASS NOAA FOR DUS J.KELLY, R.MASTERS, W.BOLHOFER 
USUN FOR S.KOTIS 
 
REFS: A) Geneva 1815  B) Geneva 1780 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: TPHY TSPL SENV EFIN KUNR AORC WMO
SUBJECT: REPORT OF THE WMO EXECUTIVE COUNCIL 57TH SESSION 
 
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SUMMARY 
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¶1.  The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) 57th 
Executive Council (EC) Session was held June 21-July 1, 2005 
in Geneva.  The EC addressed a number of items including 
continuing financial reform efforts, potential changes to 
the WMO convention, program details, financial and 
administrative matters, and a possible World Climate 
Conference (WCC-3).  Additional information on financial and 
administrative matters and the WCC-3 is provided in REFTELs. 
Overall, the EC session went smoothly and the outcomes were 
aligned with US interests. 
 
¶2.  The EC decided to continue the Task Team to Explore and 
Assess the Possible Changes to the WMO Convention and 
charged it with further exploring benefits and risks 
involved in advancing Convention amendments and other 
options.  The EC agreed to proceed with planning for a third 
World Climate Conference (WCC-3) based specifically on the 
overarching scientific theme of advances in seasonal to 
interannual and possibly decadal forecasting.  The decision 
on holding the conference was deferred to next year. 
 
¶3.  The External Auditor gave an unqualified opinion for the 
2004 account.  The EC decided to audit WMO accounts on an 
annual basis and approved the proposed Program and Budget of 
CHF 126.630 million for the second biennium (2006-2007) of 
the financial period.  The EC agreed to close the fraud 
investigation, but recommended the Audit Committee remain in 
place supplemented by a Task Force to review its 
recommendations.  The US Perm Rep will remain on the Audit 
Committee as well as the Financial Advisory Committee 
(FINAC).  The US Perm Rep was nominated a core member of a 
new Ad Hoc Group to develop budget options for WMO financial 
period 2008-2011. 
 
--------------- 
GENERAL MATTERS 
--------------- 
 
¶4.  US Permanent Representative to the WMO, Brigadier 
General John J. Kelly, Jr. (USAF, ret) led the US delegation 
to the 57th session of the Executive Council (EC-LVII), 
Geneva, June 21-July 1, 2005.  Gen Kelly also participated 
in the FINAC, which met immediately prior to the session. 
BGEN David L. Johnson (USAF, ret) was the alternate during 
the session.  They were assisted by advisors Charles Ashley 
(DOS/US Mission Geneva), Maureen Wylie (NOAA), Kelly Turner 
(NOAA), Robert Masters (NOAA-NWS), William Bolhofer (NOAA- 
NWS), Chester Koblinsky (NOAA-OAR), D. Brent Smith  (NOAA- 
NESDIS), Harry Lins (USGS), James Purdom (Colorado State), 
John Toohey-Morales (American Meteorological Society). 
 
¶5.  Vice Admiral Conrad Lautenbacher, (USN, ret), Deputy 
Under Secretary and NOAA Adminstrator, provided a 
presentation on the Group on Earth Observations System of 
Systems (GEOSS) in his capacity as co-chair of the Group on 
Earth Observations (GEO).  The WMO recently established the 
GEO Secretariat.  While in Geneva, VADM Lautenbacher also 
signed an agreement with the Russian hydrometeorological 
service for cooperation under the US/Russian S&T Agreement. 
Also, Dr. Michael Glantz, a US scientist with the National 
Center for Atmosphere Research, was invited by the WMO to 
present his views on the social perception of climate 
issues.  John Morales (AMS Commissioner) and popular 
broadcast meteorologist for Telemundo (NBC) worked with the 
WMO Secretariat conducting interviews and filming for later 
broadcast in the US, Caribbean and Central American region. 
 
¶6.  With a view to streamlining the EC process, members 
agreed to meet in plenary forgoing the traditional committee 
A, B and C structure.  This allowed documents with little 
change to move directly to "approved."  Provision was also 
made for a half-day discussion on issues related to 
hydrological security. 
 
¶7.  The EC approved the S-G proposal to appoint Mr. R.D. 
Jerry Lengoasa (South Africa) as Assistant Secretary-General 
effective August 8, 2005.  The 58th session of the EC will 
be conducted in Geneva, June 20-30, 2006. 
 
---------------------------- 
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP 
---------------------------- 
 
¶8.  This session of the EC was unprecedented for member 
turnover.  Three times during the session the members were 
called upon to designate acting members as follows: Mr. 
Mourad Shawky Saadallah to replace Mr. M. M. Arafa (Egypt), 
Mr. Sanjiv Nair to replace Mr. S.K. Srivastav (India), Mr. 
Massimo Capaldo to replace Mr. R. Sorani (Italy), Mr. John 
Mitchell to replace Dr. D. Rodgers (United Kingdom), Mr. 
Wolfgang Kusch to replace Mr. U. Gartner (Germany), Mr. D. 
Francisco Cardarso Gonzalez to replace and Ms. M. Couchoud 
Gregori (Spain).  Mr. Woon Shih Lai (Singapore), President 
of Regional Association V (RA V, Southwest-Pacific) and ex- 
officio member of EC, announced his retirement during the 
session.  Mr. Arogna Ngari (Cook Islands) is now RA V acting 
president and designated EC member.  During the EC 
intersession Mr. A. Ndiaye (Senegal) and Mr. E. Zarate 
(Costa Rica) relinquished their EC positions.  Mr, N.F. 
Ouattara (Burkina Faso) and Mr. Paulo Manso (Costa Rica) 
were elected acting EC members respectively through 
correspondence. 
 
¶9.  The EC constituted two Working Groups, (1) Long-Term 
Plan, and (2) Evolution of the National Meteorological and 
Hydrological Service - the latter group a merging of the EC 
Advisory Group on the Role and Operation of NMHS and the EC 
Action Group for an Enhanced WMO.  Advisory Groups on Data 
Exchange, Climate and Environment, Disasters, and Technical 
Cooperation were also reconstituted.  Gen Jack Kelly was 
designated a member of both the Disaster and Data Exchange 
Advisory Groups. 
 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
REGIONAL PROGRAMS AND CONSTITUENT BODY SESSIONS 
--------------------------------------------- -- 
 
¶10.  The EC was informed of the thirteenth session WMO 
Regional Association II (Asia), Hong Kong, China, December 7- 
15, 2004.  The association elected Mr. A. Majeed H. Isa 
(Bahrain) as President and Dr. C. Y. Lam (Hong Kong) as Vice 
President.  WMO Regional Association IV (North America, 
Central America, and the Caribbean) conducted its fourteenth 
session in San Jose, Costa Rica, April 5-13, 2005.  The 
association elected Mr. Carlos Fuller (Belize) as President 
and Mr. Paul Manso (Costa Rica) as Vice President.  The 
Council was informed of an agreement between WMO and the 
Kingdom of Bahrain to establish a WMO Sub-regional Office 
for Asia in Manama. 
 
¶11.  The Council was informed of two commission sessions. 
The twelfth session of the Commission for Hydrology met in 
Geneva, October 20-29, 2004.  The commission elected Mr. 
Bruce Stewart (Australia) as president and Mr. J. Wellens- 
Mensah (Ghana) as vice president.  The thirteenth session of 
the Commission for Basic Systems (CBS) took place in St 
Petersburg, Russia, February 23-March 3, 2005.  The 
Commission elected Dr. Alex Gusev (Russia) as President and 
Mr. Gerhard Hoffman (Germany) as Vice President. 
 
---------------- 
FRAUD AND REFORM 
---------------- 
 
¶12.  EC-LVI established an Audit Committee to review issues 
associated with WMO's fraud case and provide reform guidance 
to the Secretariat.  The Committee, chaired by Mr. Udo 
Gartner (Germany), met three times during the intersessional 
period, including just prior to EC-LVII.  The EC-LVII 
approved a resolution (EC-LVII Res. 4.1/x) to continue the 
Audit Committee with the next meeting scheduled October 24- 
25, 2005, Geneva.  The Committee will be comprised of six EC 
members including Gen Kelly and three external financial 
experts.  WMO Secretariat representation at the Committee 
meetings is only at the invitation of the chairperson. The 
EC also approved a resolution (EC-LVII Res. 4.1/xx) creating 
a Task Force on Recommendations Emanating from the Audit 
Committee. 
 
¶13.  The Committee was informed of progress on the fraud 
investigation by the WMO's Internal Auditor and 
Investigative Service (IAIS).  A voluminous report completed 
in April 2005 by the IAIS did little to further illuminate 
the known basic facts of the case.  Approximately US$3.4 
million was diverted during the 13th financial period (1999- 
2003) primarily in the training and fellowship area.  The 
principal conspirator fled Switzerland.  The Swiss 
authorities have an ongoing investigation.  The IAIS 
investigation implicated several other WMO Secretariat staff 
who exhibited professional shortcomings; they have since 
been disciplined or left the Organization.  The Committee 
recommended closing the investigation after considering the 
time and effort required to continue the investigation and 
the unlikelihood of finding additional significant knowledge 
pertinent to the fraud. 
 
¶14.  The Audit Committee was apprised of the implementation 
of the Secretariat's Action Plan on Management Reform.  The 
Reform Plan was developed in response to the fraud case to 
prevent additional financial irregularities.  The Plan 
focuses on improving three areas of WMO operations: 1) 
integrity - establishing an internal control system 
particularly as it relates to moving financial resources; 2) 
transparency - providing key information for decision-making 
to Members and management on activities, finance, budget and 
staffing; and, 3) efficiency - reducing administrative costs 
and time requirements for decisions through various process 
simplification mechanisms. 
 
¶15.  The Secretariat plans to have most aspects of the 
Reform Plan implemented by December 2005.  The S-G has 
instituted staff training to develop a culture of 
responsibility and accountability throughout the Secretariat 
ranks.  The EC recommended the WMO adopt the UN Standards of 
Conduct for the International Civil Service as an interim 
measure to the WMO's development of a more comprehensive 
Code of Ethics.  Based on the Audit Committee's 
recommendation, the EC requested the S-G to strengthen the 
internal audit service and to examine options for 
outsourcing some or all of the internal audit service 
functions. 
 
---------------------------- 
FINANCIAL MATTERS AND BUDGET 
---------------------------- 
 
¶16.  The 24th session of the Financial Advisory Committee 
(FINAC) met on June 20, 2005 to review the Report of the 
External Auditor and the Program and Budget for the second 
biennium of the 14th Financial Period.  FINAC members were 
introduced to the new Financial Statement format reflecting 
the Secretariat's effort to enhance budget transparency. 
All funds are now reflected as Swiss francs (CHF), which is 
WMO's reporting currency.  The proposed biennium (2006-2007) 
budget of CHF 126.63 million included expected results and 
performance indicators for each WMO program. 
 
¶17.  The National Audit Office of the United Kingdom, WMO's 
External Auditor, issued an unqualified opinion of the 
organization's accounts for the year 2004 with expenditures 
of CHF 59.872 million for that year.  The External Audit 
report showed a cash surplus of CHF 18.6 million at the end 
of the year (December 31, 2004).  This included CHF13.0 
million carry over from the 13th financial period plus CHF 
5.6 million from 2004.  The EC accepted the Audit 
Committee's recommendation to have WMO financial statements 
audited on an annual basis commencing with 2005.  The EC- 
LVIII will consider an appropriate amendment to the 
Financial Regulations to reflect this change.  In variance 
to previous practice, the WMO signed a Letter of 
Understanding on October 28, 2004 with the External Auditor 
specifying responsibilities of each Party. 
 
¶18.  The EC approved the program and budget for the second 
biennium 2006-2007 of the financial period amounting to CHF 
126.630 million.  The World Weather Watch Program (WWWP) and 
World Climate Program (WCP) received CHF 11.531 million and 
CHF 12.517 million, respectively.  The Education and 
Training, Technical Cooperation, and Regional Programs - 
representing WMO's effort to develop capacity in the Least 
Developed Countries (LDC) - received a combined CHF 18.360 
million.  Linguistic, Publication and Conference Services 
received the largest proportion of the budget at CHF 21.327 
million.  The WMO Space Program was allocated CHF 2.067 
million. The EC also approved FINAC's recommendation to 
allocate CHF 5.477 million cash surplus from the 13th 
financial period for WMO-proposed high priority activities. 
The Fourteenth Congress had agreed to suspend Financial 
Regulation 9.1 (Res. 30; Cg-XIV) during the 14th financial 
period with respect to the distribution of cash surpluses 
from the 13th financial period. 
 
¶19.  The S-G presented to the session a Program and Budget 
for the fifteenth financial period (2008-2011) on the basis 
of zero real growth (ZRG) in the amount of CHF 262.0 
million.  Gen Jack Kelly and other EC members expressed 
reservations about the ZRG proposal.  An Ad Hoc Group was 
established (EC-LVII, Res.6/1) to consider both a zero 
nominal growth (ZNG) and ZRG program and budget options. 
The Group is co-chaired by Mr. Gartner (Germany) and Mr. 
Chow Kok Kee (Malaysia); Gen Jack Kelly was nominated a core 
member.  The Group is expected to have its first meeting 
October 26-27, 2005. 
 
---------------------------------- 
WORLD WEATHER WATCH PROGRAM (WWWP) 
---------------------------------- 
 
¶20.  The World Weather Watch report by Mr. G. Hoffman, CBS 
President, covered the discontinuation of the Vaisala RS-80 
and RS-90 radiosonde systems.  Mr. Schiessel, Director of 
WWWP, provided EC members with a presentation on the "Impact 
of the replacement of radiosonde systems on the Global Upper 
Air network."  The presentation included an analysis by 
Vaisala and results from the WMO Secretariat's own analysis. 
Vaisala has worked out contractual arrangements with a 
number of affected sites; they were eliminated from the 
final analysis.  The Secretariat then eliminated from the 
survey those sites that had been silent for a five-year 
period.  The final analysis resulted in eleven affected 
sites that were globally distributed.  Half these sites will 
require an entire system replacement while the remainder 
requires software modifications. 
 
¶21.  Gen Kelly, at the request of US-based International Met 
Systems (InterMet), brought to the Secretary-General's 
attention a letter dated 29 April 2005, which gave the 
appearance of a WMO bias for Vaisala's RS-92 replacement 
system.  The S-G issued a clarification letter to all WMO 
Members on July 8, 2005.  It was mentioned during EC 
discussions the InterMet ground station could work with a 
number of different sondes and thus be manufacturer 
independent resulting in a long-term cost savings to 
operators.  The WMO Commission for Instruments and Methods 
of Observations had tested and approved the InterMet ground 
system. 
 
--------------------- 
WORLD CLIMATE PROGRAM 
--------------------- 
 
¶22.  The single polarizing issue discussed was the EC 
Advisory Group on Climate and Environment Ad Hoc Exploratory 
Committee meeting (May 2005) to scope out a Third World 
Climate Conference (WCC-3).  The U.S. had previously and in 
other fora voiced its opposition to a WCC-3 citing a lack of 
demonstrated need as well as substantial costs to 
undertaking the Conference.  However, in a tacit 
understanding worked out at the Ad Hoc meeting, it was 
agreed that planning for a Conference could proceed based 
specifically on the overarching scientific theme of advances 
in seasonal to interannual and possibly decadal forecasting. 
Any such Conference would take place at the earliest during 
the WMO's 15th financial period. 
 
¶23.  The Global Climate Observing System (GCOS) was 
recognized by the EC as an important contributor to the 
climate societal benefit area of the GEOSS plan.  The GCOS 
secretariat with assistance from the U.S. and other 
 
SIPDIS 
countries completed its Implementation Plan, which was 
endorsed by the UNFCCC Conference of the Parties, Buenos 
Aires, December 2004.  The EC advanced Resolution 3.2.3/1 
(EC-LVII) endorsing GCOS activities and requesting GCOS to 
collaborate its Implementation Plan with that of GEO, SBSTA 
and the UNFCCC-COP.  Dr. David Goodrich (formerly with NOAA) 
assumed the GCOS Director position in June 2005. 
 
------------------------------------------- 
ATMOSPHERIC RESEARCH AND ENVIROMENT PROGRAM 
------------------------------------------- 
 
¶24.  The EC reviewed activities associated with the Global 
Atmospheric Watch (GAW) particularly in the development of 
better urban environment forecast capabilities as 
demonstrated by GAW's Urban Research and Environment Project 
(GURME).  It noted a recent report from the Integrated 
Global Atmospheric Chemistry Observations (IGACO) group the 
need for better vertical resolution of atmosphere chemistry 
in the lower troposphere, which could be satisfied by the 
GAW network.  The EC requested the S-G to create a dedicated 
IGACO office within the Secretariat using extrabudgetary 
resources to coordinate chemistry observations from space to 
surface-based observing platforms. 
 
¶25.  The EC endorsed the THORPEX International Research 
Implementation Plan for 2005-2014, the established 
management mechanism and the organizational structure 
instituted by the Commission for Atmosphere Science (CAS) 
International Coordination Steering Committee (ICSC) for the 
implementation phase with an initial budget of US$1.2 
million.  The U.S. contributes US$150,000 on an annual basis 
in support of the THORPEX Project Office located at the WMO 
Secretariat.  A Global Interactive Forecast System is a 
 
SIPDIS 
major goal for THORPEX.  The Project Office informed the EC 
of an effort to stimulate developing countries interest in 
THORPEX through development of database and Numerical 
Weather Prediction (NWP) product inventories. 
 
------------------------------------- 
HYDROLOGY AND WATER RESOURCES PROGRAM 
------------------------------------- 
 
¶26.  The Hydrology and Water Resources program of WMO 
received support from the EC (and the U.S.) to participate 
in an International Flood Initiative. This initiative is a 
collaboration between UNESCO and WMO hydrologic program 
activities and leads the way for elimination of potential 
duplication of efforts and paves the way for joint projects 
using the strengths of both organizations.  Many of the 
activities the WMO hydrology program are committed to, such 
as the WHYCOS.  Training and update of the Guidelines for 
Hydrologic practices are needed by the hydrologic community 
and are well within WMO's capacities. 
 
--------------------- 
TECHNICAL COOPERATION 
--------------------- 
 
¶27.  The EC received a WMO report showing an overall 
decrease in funding for technical cooperation in 2004, due 
in large measure to cut backs in funding from UNDP.  Total 
WMO technical assistance amounted to US$20.5 million.  The 
WMO was encouraged to pursue strategic partnerships with 
donor organizations and focus on LDC needs and natural 
disasters.  The U.S. indicated it will provide US$1.98 
million Voluntary Contribution Program (VCP) funding this 
year.  In a side-meeting of VCP donors, the WMO provided 
information on assistance to Iraq, which to date has been 
hampered by security concerns.  Notable is the recent 
approval by Italy of US$6.35 million to Iraq for 
hydrometeorological technical assistance. 
 
--------------------------- 
NATURAL DISASTER PREVENTION 
--------------------------- 
 
¶28.  The chief of the cross-cutting Natural Disaster 
Prevention and Mitigation Program (DPM) was filled last fall 
by an American citizen, Dr. Maryam Goldnarghi.  Since her 
arrival the WMO has published a new brochure on DPM; 
participated actively in the UN World Conference on Disaster 
Reduction (Kobe, Japan) and activities related to Tsunami 
assessment/all hazard-early warning systems; held a first 
meeting of the DPM working Group; and prepared a 
strategy/planning document.  The budget approved for this 
biennium calls for US$2 million with an additional US$2.5 
million in funding from external contributions.  This 
represents a 90% increase in budget with 2 times the 
personnel and 2 times the budget over 2003/4.  EC discussion 
in side-meetings and plenary focused on the need for 
harmonization of the DPM budget with those of the other WMO 
Programs involved in disasters, the need for strategic 
partnerships with other organizations, and called for 
stronger performance measures in the DPM strategic plan. 
 
------------- 
SPACE PROGRAM 
------------- 
 
¶29.  The director position within the WMO was elevated to a 
D-1 level.  Dr. Don Hinsman, an American citizen, holds this 
post.  The EC considers the WMO Space Programme and national 
space agencies as the major contributors to the space 
component of GEOSS.  EC discussion focused on the importance 
and continuation of the annual WMO Consultative Meetings on 
High-Level Policy on Satellite Matters since they provide a 
forum for dialogue between WMO and space agency officials on 
the transition of research satellites and their data to 
operations. 
 
¶30.  The EC supported the establishment of Regional ATOVS 
Retransmission Systems (RARS).  Both China and Japan stated 
that they would be developing RARS and contributing those 
data as part of an Integrated Global Data Dissemination 
Service.  This has important implications for ATOVS use by 
global NWP centers, as well as potential expansion to 
include MODIS and AIRS data - both weather and GEOSS 
relevant.  There was strong support for continued growth of 
the Virtual Laboratory (VL) and the role it was playing in 
improving satellite data utilization with WMO Members.  Oman 
announced the establishment of a VL "Centre of Excellence" 
for satellite products; the Russian Federation will also 
establish a VL Centre of Excellence. 
 
¶31.  Japan announced that MTSAT-1R, a Meteorological and 
Telecommunication Satellite located at the Equator and 140 
East, would become operational on June 28, 2005.  They also 
expressed their gratitude to the U.S. for the loan of GOES-9 
during the period prior to MTSAT-1R becoming operational. 
EUMETSAT stated that its Indian Ocean coverage will continue 
until the end of 2008. 
 
-------------------- 
EVOLVING ROLE OF WMO 
-------------------- 
 
¶32.  The EC Action Group for an Enhanced WMO, chaired by Gen 
Kelly, presented its report to the EC on possible ways to 
make the WMO more responsive, proactive and relevant through 
changes in way it conducts its activities.  The Group 
recognized the need to better organize and track performance 
of the WMO with respect to principal cross-cutting issues. 
Direction for change must come from the Organization's 
President and Vice-presidents with support from the S-G to 
effect change throughout the Secretariat.  The Action Group 
also emphasized a need for the EC to take a more proactive 
role between sessions and for WMO elements across the board 
to develop a coherent approach on key issues and societal 
needs. 
 
¶33.  The EC merged into a new Working Group (WG) the EC 
Action Group for an Enhanced WMO with the Group on the Role 
and Operation of National Meteorological and Hydrological 
Services (R&OpNMHS).  The WG R&OpNMHS considered the need 
for increased NMHS recognition within its community of users 
and recommended two outward-looking statements addressed to 
decision makers and senior officials of NMHSs.  The EC 
adopted a statement on the "Role and Operation of National 
Meteorological and Hydrological Services (for decision- 
makers)" and recommended further work on a second statement 
for NMHSs. 
 
--------------------------- 
GROUP ON EARTH OBSERVATIONS 
--------------------------- 
 
¶34.  VADM Lautenbacher, in his capacity as a GEO co-chair, 
provided the EC with a presentation on the status and plans 
for GEOSS.  A lively discussion followed with many members 
seeking information about how countries in their regions 
could join the GEO effort.  The EC agreed the GEOSS is an 
important initiative that can help WMO members address 
environmental and other challenges during the coming 
decades.  The EC approved a resolution calling upon the WMO 
Secretariat to host the GEO Secretariat and establish a 
 
SIPDIS 
Trust Fund to support its work.  It was announced during the 
session that Dr. Jose Achache (France) was selected GEO 
Secretariat Director. 
 
SIPDIS 
 
-------------------------------------- 
WMO QUALITY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK (QMF) 
-------------------------------------- 
 
¶35.  Mr. Chow Kok Kee (Malaysia) presented outcomes of the 
WMO Workshop on Quality Management, Kuala Lumpur, November 
¶2004.  A majority of members expressed the need for 
additional technical guidance from WMO in developing and 
implementing a Quality Management System (QMS).  The 
Secretariat noted the availability of the "First WMO 
 
SIPDIS 
Technical Report on QMF," (WMO/TD-No. 1268) which is 
comprised of quality management manuals from NMHSs having 
successfully implemented a QMS.  The EC requested the S-G to 
establish a website to facilitate information exchange on 
QMS and to distribute a list of ISO 9001 certified NMSs 
willing to receive visitors for training.  However, EC 
members from developing countries continue to express 
concern over the high cost of implementing and maintaining 
ISO 9001. 
 
-------------- 
WMO CONVENTION 
-------------- 
 
¶36.  Mr. Udo Gartner, chairman to the EC Task Team to 
Explore and Assess the Possible Changes to the WMO 
Convention, informed the Council of possible draft 
Amendments to the Convention.  Discussion among EC members 
ranged from the need to make the 50-year old Convention more 
relevant to WMO's global role to concern about ratification 
prospects for an amended Convention.  Alternate to Gen 
Kelly, General Johnson, noted difficulties with any changes 
requiring US ratification in light of WMO's recent fraud 
problem and mismanagement in other UN agencies.  Canada 
agreed, indicating that its government believes the language 
proposed by the Task Team - even for the preamble - would 
require ratification. The EC decided to continue the Task 
Team with a greater number of members and charged it with 
further exploring benefits and risks involved in advancing 
Convention amendments, as well as other options such as a 
periodic WMO Declaration as was accepted by the Cg-XIV. 
Carlos Fuller agreed to represent Region IV in the 
reconstituted Task Team, and informally requested US 
involvement given its concerns expressed during the EC.  The 
S-G will send a letter to all members requesting their 
comments by November 1, 2005 on proposed amendments. 
 
-------------------------------- 
GENDER AND REPRESENTATION ISSUES 
-------------------------------- 
 
¶37.  The representation of women within the WMO Secretariat, 
particularly at professional levels (P and D grades), is a 
US policy interest within the UN system, as is US 
representation in general within UN Organizations.  The 
Secretariat's designated WMO Gender Focal Point, Ms. 
 
SIPDIS 
Virginia Guerrero gave two briefings to members on 
activities within the Secretariat.  The US Perm Rep was 
represented at each briefing.  Nearly 80 countries have 
designated a gender focal point for the NHMS; Ms. Vickie 
Nadolski, NOAA-NWS, represents the U.S.  The WMO has 
established a dedicated website within its domain for women 
in meteorology and hydrology and is seeking pictorial 
contributions from Members.  Cg-XIV provided a benchmark of 
actions to be completed by the Secretariat during the 14th 
Financial period which included conducting a third WMO 
Conference on Women in Meteorology and Hydrology.  The US 
delegation reminded the S-G that the WMO gender policy and 
Implementation Plan are overdue. 
 
¶38.  The US Perm Rep along with the WMO and staff, has 
worked tirelessly to encourage and promote American citizen 
applications for WMO positions.  Since the last EC in June 
2004 the U.S. has garnered two D-level positions - Donald 
Hinsman (WMO Space Program) and David Goodrich (GCOS), and 
two P-level positions - Maryam Goldnarghi (Natural Disaster 
Program) and Robert Stephanski (World Climate Program). 
 
--------------------- 
AWARDS AND RECEPTIONS 
--------------------- 
 
¶39.  The Council awarded the 50th International 
Meteorological Organization prize to Dr. John W. Zillman, 
former WMO President (1995-2003) and former Director of 
Australia's Bureau of Meteorology.  The 2005 Norbert Gerbier- 
MUMM International award was presented to Dr. G. Beig 
(France) et al. during a ceremony and reception at WMO HQs. 
The Council conferred the 2005 WMO Research Award for Young 
Scientists to Dr. Nedjelika Zagar (Sweden) and Dr. Xiao 
Cunde (China).  The United Arab Emirate Prize for Excellence 
in Advancing the Science and Practice of Weather 
Modification in collaboration with the WMO (US $50,000) was 
conferred on ten winners, both individual and institutional. 
US winners included Thomas Henderson (Atmospherics 
Incorporated), Bernard Silverman, William Woodley and Daniel 
Rosenfeld (Woodley Weather Consultants), and Peter Hobbs 
with Arthur Rangno (University of Washington). 
 
¶40.  The US Perm Rep hosted a reception (sponsored by IBM) 
for EC members, guests, and WMO Secretariat staff on June 23 
at Villa Tatiana, residence of Ambassador Kevin Moley, US 
Mission Geneva.  Russia (WMO President), Italy, France, 
Germany, China and the UK also hosted receptions. 
 
-------- 
EC-LVIII 
-------- 
 
¶41.  The 58th session of the EC will be held in Geneva, June 
20-30, 2006.  Some EC members noted the late June timing of 
EC sessions significantly impact their staffing resources 
since they must also cover the UNESCO Intergovernmental 
Oceanographic Commission meetings occurring during the same 
time frame in Paris.  Udo Gartner (Germany) addressed the EC 
in a parting farewell; he will retire from the Duetsch 
Wetterdienst in October 2005. 
 
MOLEY