GA COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY - DISCUSSION OF

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001395

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PTER UNGA
SUBJECT: GA COUNTER-TERRORISM STRATEGY - DISCUSSION OF
CO-CHAIRMAN'S PROPOSALS

REF: A: STATE 117744 B: USUN 1297


1. Summary In a meeting with Singapore Permanent
Representative Menon, a Co-Chairman of the Counter-terrorism
Strategy consultations, Amb. Wolff discussed the key issues,
timing and prospects for adopting a GA Counter-Terrorism
Strategy. Menon commented on his efforts with other
delegations during the latest round of bilateral
consultations, described the proposed counter-terrorism task
force office and shared views on the future of the
negotiating process. End Summary.


2. Amb. Wolff met with Amb. Menon, July 19, to discuss the
proposals presented by the CT Strategy Co-Chairmen earlier
this month (Ref B). Wolff, drawing on Department's guidance
(Ref A),reminded Menon that the U.S. has a number of
fundamental concerns that must be taken into account on key
issues, including: the concept of state terrorism, linking
foreign occupation and terrorism, the Egyptian conference
proposal and incurring additional costs. He emphasized the
importance of getting the strategy right and noted that
making compromises at this stage could lead to a flawed
outcome that we would not support. No serious movement had
been made by the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC)
states (minus Turkey) toward going beyond polemics and
political points aimed at targeting certain states. It was
also premature, he said, to engage in discussion of specific
compromise proposals to amend the resolution until we know
whether the underlying document is acceptable.


3. Menon responded that he was working hard to finish the
negotiation by the end of the 60th UNGA (early September) and
if he "can't get a good deal, we may not get a deal". In
response to a question about the reaction of other
delegations to the Co-Chairmen's proposals, Menon said that
for some the suggested references were sufficient but others
were still insisting on specific mention of "state
terrorism". The Co-Chairmen plan to distribute a revised
draft late next week or the following week. Events in the
Security Council may affect the atmosphere, he noted, and
therefore the timing.


4. Picking up on Wolff's point about financial implications,
Menon said that he had asked the Secretariat what kind of
"minimal resources" they were seeking to institutionalize the
Secretary General's CT Task Force. He said that they

SIPDIS
envision the addition of two new posts (D-2 and P-3) and a
budget for travel funds. The total cost is estimated at
approximately $500,000/year and Menon asked whether we would
object strongly to such a modest expenditure. Wolff
responded that because it is not a large sum, the Secretariat
should be able to find the funds within the current budget
and the Secretary General's authority to redeploy positions
could be used for the staffing needs.



5. Amb. Wolff reiterated the U.S. view that the General
Assembly should adopt the Strategy during the current 60th
session and not allow it to drag on into the 61st. Menon
agreed. He said commitments in Singapore would require him
to be out of New York for over a month during the beginning
of the next session and he has decided that he will not
continue as a Co-Chairman after the 60th session. If
agreement is reached during the 60th UNGA, the strategy
should be adopted under the current GA Presidency.


BOLTON