FOREIGN MINISTER CONCURS WITH U.S. ON UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINSHASA 001260

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2015
TAGS: KUNR PREL CG UNSC
SUBJECT: FOREIGN MINISTER CONCURS WITH U.S. ON UN REFORM

REF: A. SECSTATE 138991

B. KINSHASA 01122

C. KINSHASA 01207

Classified By: Ambassador Roger Meece for Reasons 1.4 B and D


1. (SBU) Ambassador delivered reftel A points August 3 to
Foreign Minister Ramazani. The GDRC's position on United
Nations reform is similar to that of the U.S. and remains
unchanged from previous meetings. Ramazani agreed that
focusing solely on Security Council reform and moving forward
without a broad consensus is not the right approach. He also
agreed that such a consensus does not yet exist, and that a
UN vote now on the G4 proposal would be counterproductive.


2. (C) Ramazani said that President Kabila sent Nigerian
President Obasanjo a letter stating that the GDRC's position
remained that agreed upon in the Ezulwini Consensus.
Ramazani noted the possibility that African countries may not
reach a common position, as certain countries, particularly
South Africa, Nigeria and Egypt, may jockey for potential
seats on the Security Council.


3. (C) Ramazani observed that South African FM Zuma had
commented during her visit to Kinshasa late last week that
South Africa viewed the latest G4 proposals favorably.
Ramazani concluded from that that South Africa will support a
G4 proposal worked out with the AU. Nonetheless, he also
said that Zuma had indicated President Mbeki would not attend
the August 4 Addis AU summit, and he expressed surprise that
he just heard that Mbeki is modifying his travel schedule to
go to the AU summit.


4. (SBU) Ramazani noted that the DRC Ambassador will
represent the GDRC at the AU summit.
MEECE