PNG - CHAVEZ MADE USG'S CASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT MORESBY 000412 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR EAP/ANP E.O. 12958: DECL: 9/28/2016 TAGS: UNSC PP SUBJECT: PNG - CHAVEZ MADE USG'S CASE REF: STATE 162359 CLASSIFIED BY: Robert Fitts, Ambassador, U.S. Embassy Port Moresby, Department of State. REASON: 1.4 (b) 1.(C) Drawing on material provided reftel, Ambassador raised issue again with the Prime Minister's Chief Staff, Joshua Kalinoe. Kalinoe agreed that the UNGA performance by Chavez effectively made the case that Venezuela would be disruptive rather than helpful in the Security Council. He noted that the PM had yet to talk to his staff about the issue. Kalinoe said he would see that a recommendation paper highlighting the disruptive influence of Venezuela would be presented to the cabinet. 2.(C) COMMENT: Prime Minister Somare had earlier promised support to a Venezuelan envoy. While the Cabinet consideration is a good sign, it is hardly definitive as none of the current cabinet members cares sufficiently about foreign policy to argue with the PM should he decide to stick to his guns.. We recommend that USUN work with PNG Perm Rep separately. Since Somare has not communicated with his staff yet on this, it is quite possible that no instructions from Port Moresby will reach its UN Mission prior to the vote. FITTS