CANADA SOLID ON GUATEMALA-VENEZUELA VOTE

C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 003172 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/UNP//HARRIS AND GOLDBERG//USUN/DUGAN E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2016 TAGS: UNSC CA SUBJECT: CANADA SOLID ON GUATEMALA-VENEZUELA VOTE REF: A. STATE 175110 ¶B. STATE 171368 Classified By: POL/MC Brian Flora; Reasons 1.4(B) and (D) ¶1. (C) On October 19, POL M/C discussed the standoff in the UNSC with Patrick Wittmann, Director of the United Nations Division at Foreign Affairs Canada. Wittmann said he was following the UNGA closely and was amazed and frustrated by Venezuela's persistence in the face of Guatemala's clear lead. ¶2. (C) Canada is opposed to Venezuela's election to the UNSC (for all the reasons we are),and had long been active in its lobby efforts with other countries. Wittmann said Canada would continue to vote for Guatemala as long as it stayed in the race, but could vote for a third party if that would end the impasse and keep Venezuela off the Security Council. He added, however, that Guatemala deserved the seat and that it would be unfortunate if it had to step aside. Visit Canada's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/wha/ottawa WILKINS