It's my pleasure to introduce Mr. Paul Aceto, USDOS. Paul has worked in the office of the Agricultural Trade and Policy Programs, U.S. Department of State since 1997. His responsibilities include the issues related to the WTO food aid sanctions and U.S. tobacco policy. He has been with the state since 1985. He is from Upstate New York.

Thank you, Paul.

MR. ACETO: Thank you. And let me thank the State of Vermont for setting up this meeting. I think everyone is coming today to testify.

I think what I can do is just briefly explain or answer the question in several sessions that I've attended, which is; why is the State Department up here?

There is an easy answer to that, is that the State Department is supposed to represent the American interests overseas. And that includes farm interests, includes ranchers' interests, includes, quite frankly, the interests of anybody in this room here today, for us to do a good job, to know what the concerns are and what the interests are. So, that's the primary reason we are taking part in the programs.

We also will be working very closely with the USDA in negotiations to a certain extent. We will have troops in the field. We have embassador people at our embassy who we hope to be able to get us some objectives to -- in other countries are seeking to resolve some of the issues and hopefully have a very successful negotiation.

So, with that, I just thank everyone for coming and I look forward to hearing your comments.