DEFEATING VENEZUELA IN THE 2006 ELECTION FOR THE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BANGKOK 001341 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2016 TAGS: PREL GT VE UN UNSC SUBJECT: DEFEATING VENEZUELA IN THE 2006 ELECTION FOR THE NON-PERMANENT SEAT ON THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL REF: STATE 20173 Classified By: AMBASSADOR RALPH BOYCE, REASONS 1.4 (B,D). ¶1. (C) Per reftel request, on March 3 Ambassador Boyce raised with Thai FM Kantathi the Venezuelan and Guatemalan competition for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council. Ambassador stated the strong USG belief that Guatemala should be given preference. He made reftel points regarding the important issues that the Council would consider and the Venezuelan record of disruption, rather than cooperation, in dealing with international issues. The USG thought that Venezuela would grandstand and disrupt if given a chance. The Ambassador noted that Guatemala had never served on the Council and was a good alternative. ¶2. (C) Kantathi responded that he understood the USG position. While not making a commitment, he noted favorably the argument that Guatemala had never occupied a Council seat. ¶3. (SBU) We will follow closely Thai thinking on this important issue. BOYCE