KENYA CONSIDERS IOM EXCOM CHAIRMANSHIP

C O N F I D E N T I A L NAIROBI 002386 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2026 TAGS: PREL SMIG KNNP AORC KE IR SUBJECT: KENYA CONSIDERS IOM EXCOM CHAIRMANSHIP REF: STATE 86004 Classified By: A/Political Counselor Lisa Peterson for reasons 1.4 (b,d ) ¶1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche to Tom Amolo, Head of MFA's International Organizations and Conferences Division who expressed an interest in Kenya's own candidacy for chairman of the IOM's Executive Committee. While Kenya had not previously considered seeking the position, Amolo stated that he would speak with Kenya's mission in Geneva right away. Amolo appreciated the U.S. point that Iran's chairmanship would validate Tehran's belief that Iran can participate selectively in the international community, agreeing that Iran could not pick and choose. ¶2. (C) With respect to Iran's nuclear ambitions, Amolo stated that the Government of Kenya believes that all nations have the right to peaceful nuclear capabilities, but it has to be within the context of IAEA safeguards. He added that at the recent NAM ministerial, Kenya maintained this position, encouraging Iran to pursue its nuclear interests "the right way." BELLAMY