BULGARIA: DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000264

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IO/UNP FOR B. HARRIS, WHA/PPC FOR R. YONEOKA

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/22/2016
TAGS: PREL KUNR PHUM UN UNSC ADCO GT VE BU
SUBJECT: BULGARIA: DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER DISCUSSES UN
REFORM AND SECURITY COUNCIL COMPOSITION

REF: A. STATE 04746

B. STATE 020173

C. STATE 022833

Classified By: DCM Jeff Levine for reasons 1.4 b and d.


1. (C) SUMMARY. In response to reftel demarches, the
Bulgarian MFA said that it supports Guatemala's UNSC
candidacy, agrees that the Secretary General appointment
process should be based on individual qualifications rather
than regional affiliations, and supports continued UN reform.
Bulgaria also asked for U.S. support of its ECOSOC
candidacy. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) In an extended conversation on UN issues February 17,
DCM raised reftel points with Deputy Foreign Minister
Lyubomir Kyuchukov and Emil Yalnazov, Director of the MFA's
UN and Global Issues Directorate. Kyuchukov confirmed that
the GOB has privately committed to supporting Guatemala's
candidacy for the UNSC after receiving commitments for a
Bulgarian candidacy in the UN (NFI).


3. (C) Turning to the Secretary General selection process,
Kyuchukov said that Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the Republic of
Korea had already contacted the GOB to lobby for their
candidates. Commenting that the three "may not be the best
candidates," he said that the GOB shares the USG's view that
the selection process should not be based on regional
entitlements. Rather, the individual qualifications of
candidates from all regions should be considered. In that
context, according to Kyuchukov, it is "quite natural that an
Eastern European candidate should be considered." Yalnazov
said that the Secretary General's position has become "too
big a burden for one person," adding that it may be time to
revisit the UN Charter to create a new deputy secretary
general position with day-to-day operational
responsibilities.


4. (C) Kyuchukov said that the GOB supports UN reform efforts
to further strengthen the role of the UN as the world's
"primary peacekeeping organization." He said the reform
process must be based on compromise and consensus.
Otherwise, discussions could continue indefinitely with no
solution. He emphasized that Bulgaria will favorably
consider any reform proposals as long as "the role of our
region is not diminished." The GOB supports establishing the
Human Rights Commission as soon as possible and will follow
the EU position on this issue.


5. (C) Finally, Yalnazov asked for U.S. support for a
position on the Economic and Social Council. It is seeking
one of the available seats, competing against Romania and
Belarus. According to Yalnazov, Bulgaria has received
commitments for approximately 100 votes and believes 30 more
are necessary to win the seat.
Beyrle