G-4 FRAMEWORK RESOLUTION ON UN REFORM: UAE RESPONSE

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABU DHABI 003072 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/12/2015 TAGS: PREL PGOV UNSC TC SUBJECT: G-4 FRAMEWORK RESOLUTION ON UN REFORM: UAE RESPONSE REF: STATE 126870 Classified By: Ambassador Michele J. Sison for reasons 1.5 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Ambassador made reftel demarche on the G-4 framework resolution on UN reform to MFA Under Secretary Abdullah Rashid al Noaimi on July 12, emphasizing that governments should continue to focus on a broad range of UN reform issues rather than pushing for quick action and a quick vote. Al Noaimi noted that the USG and UAEG were "on the same wavelength" in terms of a desire to avoid a hasty vote. However, he also noted that the UAE would look for a consensus Gulf Cooperation Council or Arab position. The UAE disagreed with the Group of Four's plans to call for UNSC expansion to include all G-4 nations and two African countries as new permanent members, as well as the addition of four new non-permanent members, al Noaimi stated. The UAE had not been convinced by the G-4 position, nor by the Government of Japan's arguments on subject resolution. The UAE had heard out the African Union position and disagreed with that approach as well, he added. ¶2. (C) That being said, continued al Noaimi, the UAEG believed that there needed to be "fair consideration" by the United Nations regarding "geographic, civilizational, and transparency balance" with regard to UNSC membership. The UAE would not press for numbers of seats for specific groups, however. The Under Secretary asked that Ambassador pass any additional information with regard to the G-4 framework resolution as the debate developed. SISON