DJIBOUTI AND DEMARCHE ON UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L DJIBOUTI 000064 SIPDIS STATE FOR IO AND AF PARIS/LONDON FOR AFRICA WATCHER E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/16/2016 TAGS: PREL KUNR PHUM ADCO DJ UN SUBJECT: DJIBOUTI AND DEMARCHE ON UN REFORM REF: A. STATE 4746 ¶B. STATE 4745 Classified By: AMBASSADOR MARGUERITA D. RAGSDALE. REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D). ¶1. (C) Ambassador raised January 14 with Djibouti's Foreign Minister Mahmoud Ali Yousuf the issue of United Nations reform, using points and background information provided in reftels. The Foreign Minister appeared aware of U.S. positions on reform in general and on the Human Rights Council and had no immediate substantive comment on either of these positions. With respect to expansion of the Security Council, however, the Foreign Minister asked the Ambassador "why is the U.S. opposed to other nations joining the Security Council?" . ¶2. (C) Ambassador responded that the U.S. is not opposed to other nations joining the Security Council, but holds the view that expansion of Council numbers should contribute to its strength and effectiveness. New permanent members, she continued, should be supremely qualified with strong records in democratic principles, human rights, non-proliferation and counter-terrorism, and be a contributor to peacekeeping operations and to the United Nations. ¶3. (C) The Foreign Minister responded, with a laugh, that "no country will qualify for this, then." Ambassador assured that on the basis of this criteria, the U.S. is supporting Japan's desire for a permanent seat. The Minister responded "but not others." The Ambassador told the Foreign Minister that no country is excluded from putting forward its desire for membership on the Security Council. RAGSDALE