DEMARCHE IN ADVANCE OF MAY 27 NAM MINISTERIAL

S E C R E T KINGSTON 001045 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CAR (BENT),IO E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2016 TAGS: PREL AORC IAEA KNNP UNSC IR JM SUBJECT: DEMARCHE IN ADVANCE OF MAY 27 NAM MINISTERIAL MEETING REF: STATE 83239 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Steven Valdez. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d) . ¶1. (S) On May 26, P/E Couns and Poloff delivered reftel points to Angella Brown, Deputy Director, Multilateral Affairs Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT). Given staffing gaps on the Ministry, this was the earliest the meeting could be scheduled. Brown read the points closely and expressed appreciation for the USG viewpoint. She then excused herself from the meeting, returning several minutes later to report that she had provided the points to Foreign Minister Tony Hylton as he departed the building to catch his flight to the NAM meeting in Kuala Lumpur. ¶2. (S) Brown said that the NAM sought "an amicable, peaceful solution" to the Iran/nuclear impasse. She said that disarmament is an important area of concern, and that Jamaica has always taken a strong position against non-proliferation. Brown indicated that a draft resolution on the Iran/nuclear matter was already under circulation in NAM capitals, adding that she expected that the draft language would require much massaging in order to ensure a "fair and balanced" statement. She acknowledged a need for compliance with IAEA on the part of Iran, although she said that the NAM statement should favor neither the Iranian position nor that of the EU3. Brown also noted that the impasse could have serious consequences on oil supply/price for all countries, including Jamaica. The final NAM statement would reflect the input of Iran as a NAM member. Finally, she offered to share the final text with emboffs as soon as she received a copy. ¶3. (S) Comment: Though Brown clearly appreciated the gravity of the Iran/nuclear issue, she could not resist a parting shot - delivered in a faux jocular manner - that the USG was again "sticking its nose into NAM affairs." VALDEZ