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