PANAMA RECEPTIVE TO USG PRIORITIES FOR UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 001343

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/20/2015
TAGS: KUNR PREL PGOV AORC PM UNSC POLITICS FOREIGN POLICY
SUBJECT: PANAMA RECEPTIVE TO USG PRIORITIES FOR UN REFORM

REF: A. STATE 111637

B. STATE 111657

Classified By: Ambassador Linda Watt for reasons (b) and (d).

(C) On June 16, Ambassador Watt delivered reftel A and B
talking points on USG priorities for UN reform to Foreign
Minister Samuel Lewis. Lewis expressed interest in USG
priorities for UN reform and on Security Council (SC)
expansion, saying that Panama, as the facilitator for
institutional reform and SC reform, takes its role as one of
the ten facilitators of the outcome document very seriously.
Lewis said that he understands that the Chinese oppose
permanent Japanese membership in the SC. He noted the lack
of consensus among Latin American countries regarding
Brazil's desire for permanent SC membership. As with the
OAS, Panama believes it can work effectively to advance many
common U.S.-Panama objectives in the UN, particularly in
areas where active U.S. advocacy might be counter-productive.
Embassy will report any further developments to the
Department.

WATT