CHADIAN RESPONSE TO UN REFORM DEMARCHE

UNCLAS NDJAMENA 001122 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR AF, AF/C, INR, DRL; LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICAWATCHERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL CD UNSC SUBJECT: CHADIAN RESPONSE TO UN REFORM DEMARCHE REF: A. STATE 126870 ¶B. STATE 119897 ¶1. (SBU) Per reftels, Ambassador Wall met with Chadian Foreign Minister Nagoum Yamassoum on July 11 to discuss the UN reform. In outlining the U.S. position on UN reform, the Ambassador emphasized our desire for overall reform, not just UN Security Council expansion. He noted that G-4 proposal of six additional seats could diminish the workability and effectiveness of the UNSC. In addition, the Ambassador expressed U.S. concerns about the process envisaged for adopting the G-4 position and stressed the need for obtaining broad consensus on the issue. The Ambassador gave the Foreign Minister a copy of the talking points and asked if Chad had yet decided on a position on the issue. ¶2. (SBU) Foreign Minister Yamassoum said that Chad has adopted the consensus position of the African Union. The AU wants two permanent seats and five rotating seats for African countries. The heads of state reaffirmed Africa's commitment to global reform of the UN to include the Economic and Social Council, the Security Council, and the Human Rights Commission. According to Yamassoum, the AU is establishing a "fifteen plus three" group to explore various UN reform measures and develop a common position. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Chad is not a leader, but a follower, on most AU issues. We expect Chad to wait for the AU to develop options on UN reform before making any further decisions. WALL NNNN