UN REFORM/JAMAICA: PRESSING DIFFICULT COUNTRIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 002054 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNP, WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/31/15 TAGS: KUNR PREL PGOV JM SUBJECT: UN REFORM/JAMAICA: PRESSING DIFFICULT COUNTRIES TO WORK WITH US ON OUR PRIORITIES REF: A. STATE 149376 ¶B. TIGHE/SURAMPUTI 8/25 TELCON Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Thomas C. Tighe. Reasons 1.4(b) and ( d). ¶1. (C) On August 25, Charge, accompanied by Pol/Econ Chief, conveyed Ref A points to Ambassador Douglas Saunders, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT). Shortly before Charge was to depart for the MFAFT with Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Sakurai to convey the demarche jointly, Sakurai dropped out, citing conflicting instructions between what he received from Tokyo and what he had received, informally, directly from the Japanese Embassy in Washington (Ref B). Charge also approached the recently arrived UK High Commissioner, who advised him that EU embassies would approach the GOJ separately. ¶2. (C) In the meeting with Saunders, Charge noted Jamaica's twin roles as UN member state and current Chair of the G-77, adding that the USG is concerned that the Jamaican delegation often seems to champion the causes of G-77 with less-than-stellar human rights records, in UN reform discussions. He also emphasized the special importance the U.S. places on reforming the Human Rights Commission into a more streamlined, less politicized Human Rights Council, and on resolving UN management reform issues. Saunders listened intently before responding. He said that the Jamaican delegation must place its G-77 Chair responsibilities ahead of Jamaica's narrow national interests; accordingly, it is often difficult for the Jamaican delegation "to speak for Jamaica." In that vein, he continued, the GOJ is seeking an opportunity for Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to speak in his capacity as a head of government in addition to his G-77 speaking role. Saunders conceded that the Human Rights Commission had become too politicized, but opined that "all parties" bore responsibility for allow that to happen. ¶3. (C) On the issue of UNSC reform, Saunders expressed concern that agreement on new members would far outpace necessary reforms in other areas, thereby reducing the impetus to follow through on reform in UN social and developmental areas important to the GOJ. He observed that it would have made sense to establish clearer criteria "about what Security Council membership should entail" (inter alia, geographical and other considerations; record of stability of an aspirant's political system, etc.) before considering specific country bids for new UNSC membership. He said that Brazil presented a compelling case for permanent status, unlike Japan ("Their bid seems very unpopular in Asia") and Germany ("Why should Western Europe have another seat?") ¶4. (SBU) At the conclusion of the meeting, Saunders thanked Charge for USG willingness to engage with the GOJ on UN reform issues, and asked that it continue. ¶5. (SBU) Comment: As Permanent Secretary, Saunders is the GOJ's senior career diplomat. Having previously served at Jamaica's UN Mission, he is familiar with the workings of the organization and a knowledgeable interlocutor on UN issues. End Comment. TIGHE