SOLOMON ISLANDS NOT DECIDED ON UNSC SEAT

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT MORESBY 000351 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR IO/UNP AND EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/29/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC BP SUBJECT: SOLOMON ISLANDS NOT DECIDED ON UNSC SEAT REF: A) PORT MORESBY 388 B) STATE 20173 CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Fitts, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (d) CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Fitts, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (d) 1.(C) SUMMARY: Solomon Islands new Foreign Minister has taken aboard U.S. concerns about Venezuela's candidacy for the Security Council seat. Though professing sympathy, he did not commit, needing to first consult with his UN permrep. He noted that an envoy from Venezuela was currently visiting the Pacific on the issue. SUMMARY. 2.(C) Ambassador discussed the Venezuela/Guatemala candidacies with Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Patteson Oti August 29. The issue had come up during an earlier get-acquainted visit (ref A) but the FM had been too new to the post to discuss it seriously. During today's conversation, he was very familiar with the details. An envoy from Venezuela had called on him August 28 during a tour of the Pacific. 3.(C) We outlined the US case using the points conveyed ref B. Oti professed sympathy with the point that Venezuela would be disruptive rather than supportive if it attained a seat on the council. Still, he cautioned that his government's decision would be guided by the assessment of its PermRep in New York. He noted that, during a cabinet visit to Taiwan two weeks ago, Taipei had not raised the issue. 4.(C) COMMENT: Though talkative and open, Oti (and much of the current government) does not exhibit the instinctive support for U.S. initiatives of the previous government. He would likely be swayed by the PermRep's assessment of how Solomon Islands might benefit by supporting either side. Accordingly, we suggest that USUN might engage that individual, Collin Beck. FITTS