C O N F I D E N T I A L NICOSIA 000193

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IO/UNP FOR BHARRS AND WHA/PPC FOR RYONEOKA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2021
TAGS: PREL UNAUS UNSC GT VE CY
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR PRESSES FM IACOVOU TO SUPPORT GUATEMALA
OVER VENEZUELA FOR A UNSC SEAT

REF: SECSTATE 20173

Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher; Reason 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Ambassador made reftel points to FM Iacovou in a
February 8 telcon. Iacovou said he was not at all surprised
that the United States would oppose a Security Council seat
for Venezuela, but he refused to commit one way or the other
in terms of the GOC's position. He suggested, instead, that
we take the issue up with the MFA's multilateral affairs
department.


2. (C) On February 10, Polchief delivered the same message
on Venezuela to Sotos Liassides, Director of Multilateral
Affairs. Liassides stressed that it was much too early for
Cyprus to formulate a position on this issue, but noted that
Guatemala seemed well-qualified for a position on the
Council.
SCHLICHER