Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NEWDELHI3006
2006-05-03 07:40:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
GOI RESPONSE POSITIVE TO UN DEMOCRACY FUND
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C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 003006
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM UNGA KUNR IN AF KG
SUBJECT: GOI RESPONSE POSITIVE TO UN DEMOCRACY FUND
INVITATION
REF: A. STATE 65746
B. NEW DELHI 2501
Classified By: DCM Robert Blake, Jr. for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NEW DELHI 003006
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM UNGA KUNR IN AF KG
SUBJECT: GOI RESPONSE POSITIVE TO UN DEMOCRACY FUND
INVITATION
REF: A. STATE 65746
B. NEW DELHI 2501
Classified By: DCM Robert Blake, Jr. for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
1. (C) In a May 2 meeting with PolCouns and Poloff, MEA
Joint Secretary (United Nations/Political) Sanjiv Arora said
that the GOI plans actively to promote the UN Democracy Fund
(UNDEF, Ref A) to Indian NGOs and civil society
organizations, including via the MEA's Internet site, and to
facilitate these groups' applications to the Fund. He did
not rule out a future direct role for the GOI in conducting
UNDEF projects, but said that such participation was not
likely in the near-term. Arora also left open the
possibility of supporting appropriate international NGOs on
projects that dovetailed with New Delhi's democracy-promotion
philosophy.
2. (C) In response to PolCouns' suggestion that India take
the lead in replicating its Afghanistan program of democracy
promotion/training in Central Asia, notably in Kyrgyzstan --
following up on A/S Boucher's conversations with the MEA (Ref
B) -- Arora replied that, for the time being, the GOI would
be more likely to support and possibly join a UNDEF-funded
project under an NGO's leadership. He emphasized that the
first step would be for the Kyrgyz to request such
assistance. Asked about empowering a quasi-governmental NGO
like the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation to conduct such projects,
Arora recounted that this idea had been examined in the
run-up to President Bush's visit, and had not found political
support within the GOI.
International Center for Democratic Transition
-------------- -
3. (C) Asked about the status of India's participation in
the International Center for Democratic Transition (ICDT) in
Budapest, Arora reported that the GOI fully supports the
concept and "now is the time for specifics." He added that
India's Ambassador to Hungary Ranjit Rae should soon be
notified to the ICDT as India's representative once the last
GOI bureaucratic boxes have been checked off. In the
meantime, Rae has been fielding ICDT suggestions for projects
where India might play a role, for instance on Haiti.
Comment/Action Request: India Invested
--------------
4. (C) Arora's engagement demonstrates New Delhi's strong
sense of ownership in the UNDEF and its interest in
capitalizing on India's founding role. He was fully current
on UNDEF planning and discussions in New York. Arora (and
the Foreign Ministry) clearly see the UNDEF as a key element
in UN reform writ large, and their interest in replicating
their Afghanistan precedent is evident.
5. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Arora will be in Washington May 10-12
for the Peacekeeping Joint Working Group, and expressed
interest in meetings with DRL, G, or IO, following up on his
past conversations with U/S Dobriansky on operationalizing
the UNDEF. Please keep Post informed as his schedule firms
up.
6. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
MULFORD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/11/2016
TAGS: PREL PHUM KDEM UNGA KUNR IN AF KG
SUBJECT: GOI RESPONSE POSITIVE TO UN DEMOCRACY FUND
INVITATION
REF: A. STATE 65746
B. NEW DELHI 2501
Classified By: DCM Robert Blake, Jr. for Reasons 1.4 (B, D)
1. (C) In a May 2 meeting with PolCouns and Poloff, MEA
Joint Secretary (United Nations/Political) Sanjiv Arora said
that the GOI plans actively to promote the UN Democracy Fund
(UNDEF, Ref A) to Indian NGOs and civil society
organizations, including via the MEA's Internet site, and to
facilitate these groups' applications to the Fund. He did
not rule out a future direct role for the GOI in conducting
UNDEF projects, but said that such participation was not
likely in the near-term. Arora also left open the
possibility of supporting appropriate international NGOs on
projects that dovetailed with New Delhi's democracy-promotion
philosophy.
2. (C) In response to PolCouns' suggestion that India take
the lead in replicating its Afghanistan program of democracy
promotion/training in Central Asia, notably in Kyrgyzstan --
following up on A/S Boucher's conversations with the MEA (Ref
B) -- Arora replied that, for the time being, the GOI would
be more likely to support and possibly join a UNDEF-funded
project under an NGO's leadership. He emphasized that the
first step would be for the Kyrgyz to request such
assistance. Asked about empowering a quasi-governmental NGO
like the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation to conduct such projects,
Arora recounted that this idea had been examined in the
run-up to President Bush's visit, and had not found political
support within the GOI.
International Center for Democratic Transition
-------------- -
3. (C) Asked about the status of India's participation in
the International Center for Democratic Transition (ICDT) in
Budapest, Arora reported that the GOI fully supports the
concept and "now is the time for specifics." He added that
India's Ambassador to Hungary Ranjit Rae should soon be
notified to the ICDT as India's representative once the last
GOI bureaucratic boxes have been checked off. In the
meantime, Rae has been fielding ICDT suggestions for projects
where India might play a role, for instance on Haiti.
Comment/Action Request: India Invested
--------------
4. (C) Arora's engagement demonstrates New Delhi's strong
sense of ownership in the UNDEF and its interest in
capitalizing on India's founding role. He was fully current
on UNDEF planning and discussions in New York. Arora (and
the Foreign Ministry) clearly see the UNDEF as a key element
in UN reform writ large, and their interest in replicating
their Afghanistan precedent is evident.
5. (C) ACTION REQUEST: Arora will be in Washington May 10-12
for the Peacekeeping Joint Working Group, and expressed
interest in meetings with DRL, G, or IO, following up on his
past conversations with U/S Dobriansky on operationalizing
the UNDEF. Please keep Post informed as his schedule firms
up.
6. (U) Visit New Delhi's Classified Website:
(http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/sa/newdelhi/)
MULFORD