BRAZIL RESPONDS TO NAM MINISTERIAL DEMARCHE NOTING DISTRUST

UNCLAS BRASILIA 001252 SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO BFRIEDMAN AND BPOPP WHA/BSC, LWEISS WHA/PPC SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AORC UNGA UNGA BR SUBJECT: BRAZIL RESPONDS TO NAM MINISTERIAL DEMARCHE NOTING DISTRUST OF REFORM INITIATIVE AMONG THE G-77 REF: STATE 83898 ¶1. Poloff delivered Reftel's talking points, June 21, to Bruno Brant of the MFA's Division for UN Affairs. In a revealing conversation about a prevailing mood of "distrust" within the UN, Brant noted that the GoB tends to be one of the moderating influences among the G-77, but that hard-line USG and EU positions have made it difficult for Brazil to be a tempering influence. In regard to Resolution 60/260 Brant averred that Brazil had tried to breach differences and had actually been very close to a deal with EU members. The GoB believes that there is very little that separates the developed nations from the rest but that a spirit of "political distrust" has invaded the UN, and this stems from the spending cap. ¶2. Brant claimed that there is a perception of blackmail among some members of the G-77, as reform is being "held hostage" to the budget measures. This impression, he reiterated, makes it difficult to moderate radical elements of the developing country block. In a succinct evaluation of the situation Brant noted there are two elements vying in the UN, the power of the purse and the power of the vote. ¶3. Addressing the reform measures highlighted in the talking points, Brant said he believes that there is a general consensus that the proposed package is very positive. The GoB had few if any arguments with the purported reforms and believes that consensus would be easily achieved; if, of course, the U.S. and EU were willing to separate the two issues (Reform and the Budget). When pressed as to whether the GoB would again vote with the G-77 in a deadlock, Brant demurred and said that he did not know the answer to that question. He believed, however, that the ball is in the U.S. court and that confidence building measures would help to avert a crisis. In closing, Brant was upbeat stating that there is a strong desire and willingness to discuss reform, and that consensus was imminently possible. CHICOLA