GUATEMALA'S UNSC CANDIDACY - APPROACH TO TRINIDAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT OF SPAIN 000677 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/26/2016 TAGS: PREL UNSC TD SUBJECT: GUATEMALA'S UNSC CANDIDACY - APPROACH TO TRINIDAD REF: A. SECSTATE 86256 ¶B. POS 267 Classified By: ACTING DCM A. DAVID MILLER PER 1.4 (B/D) ¶1. (C) Ambassador called on Prime Minister Manning June 1 to discuss ref A. A/DCM accompanied the Ambassador at the meeting. No paper was left behind. ¶2. (C) Ambassador informed Manning that we had heard earlier (ref B) that T&T had a favorable view of Guatemala's qualifications to be a candidate for the Latin America (GRULAC) seat on the UN Security Council (UNSC). Ambassador asked for clarification in light of recent information of a Caricom position favoring Venezuela. Manning stated flatly in reply that he was not aware of any such Caricom position. While acknowledging that Caricom coordinates foreign policy and that T&T would abide by a joint position, Manning reiterated that he had not been informed that Caricom had taken any decision regarding the UNSC GRULAC seat to favor Venezuela. ¶3. (C) In view of Manning's response, Ambassador took the opportunity to make a renewed appeal for support of Guatemala. Alluding to the dispute between Guatemala and Belize (a Caricom member),he noted that Caricom member Guyana was involved in its own border dispute with Venezuela. Ambassador elaborated on Venezuela, pointing out its disruptive behavior in international meetings and its voting in support of Iran's nuclear activities. He told Manning that Guatemala had never served on the UNSC despite being a charter member of the UN and having served on numerous peacekeeping missions. Ambassador summed up that Washington believed after taking everything into account that Guatemala was a better UNSC candidate. Manning had no further response. AUSTIN