PANAMA POSITION ON G-4 VOTE

UNCLAS PANAMA 001552 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN AND IO/UNP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KSEP OTRA OVIP PREL PM UNGA UNSC POLITICS FOREIGN POLICY SUBJECT: PANAMA POSITION ON G-4 VOTE REF: STATE 132429 (SBU) On July 21, PolOffs visited MFA International Organizations (IO) Director Javier Bonagas to follow-up on reftel demarche delivered on July 18. On the G-4 proposal, Bonagas reiterated the GOP position, similar to our own, that UNSC reform should be one part of an integral reform package. He said that different groups of countries were seeking GOP support for their proposals, but he added that the GOP was not inclined to support the G-4 proposal. He also underscored the importance of consensus on UN reform issues, saying that the GOP wishes to avoid deep divisions on reform issues. Bonagas said the GOP hopes that the G-4 proposal will not come to a vote, but if it does, the Foreign Minister will have to decide what action to take. Bonagas had nothing new to share on other UN demarche issues. Embassy will report any updates to the Department. WATT