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