T&T FM GIFT POSITIVE ON UN REFORM

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000165

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/CAR

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/02/2016
TAGS: PREL KUNR TD
SUBJECT: T&T FM GIFT POSITIVE ON UN REFORM

REF: A. A. STATE 4746

B. B. STATE 4745

Classified By: DCM, Eugene P. Sweeney for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)


1. (U) Ambassador Austin met with Foreign Minister Knowlson
Gift on February 1 to deliver the talking points on UN reform
contained reftels. Poloff attended as notetaker, as did
three representatives from the MFA's Multilateral Department.
Out of the numerous points contained reftels, the discussion
centered on the proposed Human Rights Council and Security
Council Reform.


2. (C) On the Human Rights Council proposal, Gift noted that
he participated in the Human Rights Roundtable in September.
He agreed that the new Council should not be unwieldy, and
that membership numbers should be capped to ensure smooth
operations. He further commented that the U.S. position
seemed like a refinement of the position adopted by the
roundtable and the General Assembly.


3. (C) Gift inquired about the U.S. position on Security
Council expansion, noting that all four aspirants for new,
permanent membership had sat together in his office like
quadruplets to lobby the Government of Trinidad and Tobago
(GOTT). Gift was nonplussed by the suggestion that the U.S.
so far only supports Japan's aspiration, and is decidedly
neutral to all other proposals. Gift commented that
expressed support for one of the four sends a "subliminal
message" to the other three. He further noted that the
campaign will heat up between now and this summer.


4. (C) Gift went on to explain his position on Security
Council expansion, that the Council must be effective, and
perhaps get away from being a "big boys' club." The GOTT
does not support the creation of new categories of members on
the Security Council, but supports open decision-making about
new members. He further stated that no country should be
excluded from consideration until that country's aspirations
are known. Gift closed by gently pitching T&T's candidacy
for a rotational seat in the next Security Council elections.


AUSTIN