AMB. SIV PROMOTES UNGA AGENDA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 QUITO 002362 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON PHUM KDEM AORC EC UNGA UN SUBJECT: AMB. SIV PROMOTES UNGA AGENDA REF: A. SECSTATE 152009 ¶B. QUITO 2104 ¶C. QUITO 2106 ¶D. QUITO 2274 ¶E. SECSTATE 181382 ¶1. Summary: During a visit to Quito on August 21-22, U.S. Representative to ECOSOC Ambassador Sichan Siv raised UNGA demarche points (Ref A) and other multilateral issues with Amb. Fernando Flores Macias, DirGen for Multilateral Affairs. Ambassador Siv also expressed disappointment with Ecuador's ECOSOC vote in favor of Cuba's ECOSOC resolution on July 22 (Ref B),inquired about Ecuador's candidacy for leadership of the G-77, and explained U.S. views on the International Finance Facility. Flores raised a recent GoE anti-terrorism seminar he had organized, was unresponsive on the CUBA vote, and vague about G-77. He highlighted new GoE activity on TIP; otherwise his responses on UNGA issues tracked with previous responses (Ref C). Flores also made several suggestions to improve the effectiveness of the First Committee. End Summary. UNGA Demarche Issues -------------- ¶2. Ambassador Siv raised the Monterrey consensus that each country has primary responsibility for its own economic and social development and importance of mobilizing domestic resources in the private sector for development. He expressed fundamental USG concerns with the practicality of global taxation and said the U.S. could not support mechanisms such as the International Finance Facility. Flores agreed and noted the consensus encouraged regional and sub-regional collaboration on development, which Ecuador intends to pursue within GRULAC and the Andean community. Siv asked about GoE views on human cloning. Flores said the GoE was studying the issue with the help of scientific experts and did not yet have a position. Ambassador Siv emphasized USG commitment to strengthen collaboration to combat trafficking in persons (TIP). Flores welcomed USG interest and expressed GoE commitment to address the issue, highlighting the August 18 announcement of a Presidential decree addressing TIP and other related problems (Ref D) Ambassador Siv made the point that democracies form the majority in UN bodies and by working together could have a profound impact on the operation of those bodies. Reducing the number of Middle East resolutions also remains a U.S. priority. Flores agreed that democracies should collaborate to improve the operation of UN bodies. Improving the First Committee -------------- ¶3. Flores told Ambassador Siv that the GoE agrees with the U.S. view (conveyed to him with delivery of the U.S. note verbale on August 20 by PolOff, per Ref E),that revitalization of the UNGA, including the First Committee is of vital importance. He elaborated practical suggestions the GoE will propose, including: -- limiting congratulations and greetings to the beginning of the session. -- limiting sessions to address single themes, except in general debate. -- treat some recurring themes bi- or tri-annually. Flores emphasized that the GoE believes it is essential to ensure greater follow-up of UN resolutions to enhance effectiveness. Other Issues -------------- ¶4. Asked by Ambassador Siv about the GoE candidacy for leadership of the G-77, Flores said only that the leadership issue should be sorted out soon within the GRULAC group. He was more eager to raise the GoE's ongoing efforts to combat terrorism, highlighting a recent GoE seminar involving experts from Vienna and the OAS (which he had organized). Comment -------------- ¶5. Flores' vague response on G-77 might indicate lack of confidence that Ecuador will eventually be selected as the GRULAC candidate. LEDAHAWSKY