PERU ON G-4 FRAMEWORK RESOLUTION FOR UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 003075 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2015 TAGS: PREL PE UNSC SUBJECT: PERU ON G-4 FRAMEWORK RESOLUTION FOR UN REFORM REF: STATE 126870 Classified By: Ambassador Curtis Struble for Reason 1.4 (B, D) 1.... id: 36587 date: 7/14/2005 16:23 refid: 05LIMA3075 origin: Embassy Lima classification: CONFIDENTIAL destination: 05STATE126870 header: This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. -------------- header ends -------------- C O N F I D E N T I A L LIMA 003075 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2015 TAGS: PREL PE UNSC SUBJECT: PERU ON G-4 FRAMEWORK RESOLUTION FOR UN REFORM REF: STATE 126870 Classified By: Ambassador Curtis Struble for Reason 1.4 (B, D) ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador delivered reftel demarche on 7/13 to Foreign Minister Manuel Rodriguez. Ambassador stressed that it would be counterproductive to call for a vote now on the G-4 resolution on Security Council (UNSC) expansion -- the resolution is contrary to the interests of many important countries who want to have a role in an expanded Council, and greater progress is needed on overall UN reform before we focus on the specific issue of the Security Council. ¶2. (C) Rodriguez said that Peru also wants to avoid having this issue come to a vote and he would instruct his UN Mission to work closely with the U.S. toward that end. If a vote is held, the Foreign Minister said, it would present a very complex issue for the GOP. Peru has made bilateral commitments to support permanent seats for Brazil, India, Germany and South Africa. Especially because of the importance of Brazil to Peru's interests, a call for a vote on these countries would put great pressure on the GOP to vote yes. Japan as a permanent member is presently a delicate issue for Peru. In the abstract, the GOP recognizes the importance of Japan on the world scene, but as long as former President Fujimori is exiled there, Peru cannot come out in favor of a permanent Japanese seat. If the G-4 resolution were to come to a vote, Rodriguez concluded, Peru's options would be either to come out in favor or to abstain, in either case providing an explanation of the vote. ¶3. (SBU) Rodriguez wanted to pursue a nuanced approach. He said it was important to maintain the equities and balance of interests of the post-war era represented in the Security Council. UNSC expansion should make the Council more realistic in representation, but also more effective in accomplishing its role. Four new countries with veto powers would be unworkable. Peru wanted to see more non-permanent members, but finds the African proposal with five new members from their region to be unrealistic. Peru would favor a more conservative approach -- there ought to be new Council members, perhaps using a mix of two and four year terms, but the Council should not become huge and unwieldy, which could just lead to more vetoes. STRUBLE =======================CABLE ENDS============================