BRUNEI CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR GUATEMALA IN UNSC RACE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN 000485 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2016 TAGS: PREL UNGA VE BX GT SUBJECT: BRUNEI CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR GUATEMALA IN UNSC RACE REF: STATE 1452421 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: Ambassador Emil Skodon, Reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) On September 19, Ambassador asked Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) Permanent Secretary Pengiran Dato Osman for an update on Bruneian views of the contest between Guatemala and Venezuela for a Latin American UNSC seat. After checking with others at the Ministry, Osman got back to Ambassador later in the day to say that Brunei was behind Guatemala. On September 21, Foreign Minister II Pehin Lim Jock Seng confirmed Bruneian support for Guatemala during a luncheon conversation with Ambassador and DCM. ¶2. (C) Both Osman's and Lim's further comments to us, however, indicated that Brunei's backing for Guatemala is neither enthusiastic nor rock solid. Osman told Ambassador the MFAT viewed Guatemala as the "least bad of two bad choices" (in response, Ambassador drew from reftel points to underscore Guatemala's positive past contributions to UN programs). Lim explained that the primary reason the MFAT supports Guatemala is because "they asked for our vote before the Venezuelans did" and Foreign Minister I Prince Mohamed leans toward favoring the earliest country to approach Brunei for support on issues that do not involve direct Bruneian interests. ¶3. Comment: While Brunei can be listed as a confirmed supporter of Guatemala for now, given the underwhelming rationales cited by Osman and Lim for this position we recommend that Department, USUN, and Guatemala itself should continue to lobby the Bruneians as opportunities arise. End Comment. SKODON