DEFEATING VENEZUELA, SUPPORTING GUATEMALA FOR UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000799 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/09/2016 TAGS: PREL EG GT VE UN UNSC SUBJECT: DEFEATING VENEZUELA, SUPPORTING GUATEMALA FOR UN SECURITY COUNCIL SEAT: EGYPTIAN RESPONSE REF: A. STATE 20173 ¶B. WILLIAMS-HEGADORN E-MAILS Classified by ECPO Minister Counselor Michael Corbin for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Post intends to raise the issue of Guatemala's UN Security Council candidacy when the Ambassador meets next with Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit, following the latter's return to Egypt from regional travel. Post will also engage with the Guatemalan Ambassador in Cairo to coordinate diplomatic strategies on dealing with both the GOE and the Arab League, also based in Cairo. ¶2. (C) During a February 8 luncheon with MFA UN Affairs Office working-level staff, poloff was told that Egypt was well aware of the competition between Guatemala and Venezuela for the GRULAC seat on the Security Council. Guatemala had been pressing its case in New York, and the Guatemalan Ambassador had recently called upon MFA Assistant Minister for Multilateral Affairs Naella Gabr. No decision has been made by Egypt regarding which candidate to support, and the Foreign Minister would be left with the final decision. It would be helpful for the Guatemalans to lobby as much as possible regarding their candidacy, including on the margins of the upcoming Arab League Summit, expected to be held in Khartoum, Sudan in March, they said. RICCIARDONE