DEMARCHE FOR ATTENDEES OF NAM SUMMIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L RABAT 001649 SIPDIS NOFORN SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/MAG E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2011 TAGS: PREL UNGA PTER PHUM CU MO SUBJECT: DEMARCHE FOR ATTENDEES OF NAM SUMMIT REF: STATE 145242 Classified By: Political Officer C. J. Lenzen, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On September 6, Poloffs delivered reftel demarche on the upcoming NAM summit to Nasser Bourita, Director of United Nations and International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The GOM is in full agreement with the US on Guatemala's election to the UN Security Council, according to Bourita. In May, the GOM sent a letter to the government of Guatemala saying the GOM supported its election. Bourita pointed out that Venezuela has the support of the African Union and of OPEC. According to Bourita, the government of Venezuela has promised to open eight embassies in sub-Saharan countries, following visits by President Chavez. Guatemala does not have the support of Arab countries, particularly those in OPEC, according to Bourita, because of its support of Israel from as far back as the 1980s. ¶2. (C) The GOM concurs with the US on the need to have balanced language with respect to the situation in Lebanon, that Hizballah precipitated the recent conflict and that the kidnapped Israeli soldiers must be returned, according to Bourita. Bourita continued by saying that the GOM would like to see NAM contribute to multilateral debate, deal with the realities of situations and be more in line with the UN. He admitted that the documents produced by NAM are superficial because they are an amalgam of disparate ideas and proposals by member countries. Bourita doubted that the documents on democracy and terrorism would be re-written at this summit; however, the language proposed by the US was acceptable to him. Regarding Cuba, Bourita noted that Cuban presidency of the NAM for the next three years will likely create a difficult situation and hinder the GOM's commitment to updating the NAM's methodology and ability to function pragmatically. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** RILEY