ELEMENTS FOR UNSC PRESS STATEMENT ON THWARTED

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 001536 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/14/2016 TAGS: PREL PTER UNSC SUBJECT: ELEMENTS FOR UNSC PRESS STATEMENT ON THWARTED AIRLINER PLOT REF: STATE 132356 (U) Classified by William J. Brencick, USUN Political Minister-Counselor, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) In response to reftel, USUN Polmincouns met his UK counterpart on August 14 to discuss a possible UNSC press statement on the thwarted plot to bomb transatlantic airliners. USUN provided a copy of the suggested press statement elements to UK Counselor Paul Johnston and Polmincouns noted that the arrests were a notable achievement in themselves and underscored the seriousness of the ongoing threat to the international order posed by terrorism. While some on the Council might question whether a press statement was called for in the wake of an attack that actually did not take place, most Council members would be likely to want to use this opportunity to re-emphasize the Council's active fight against terrorism in all its manifestations. ¶2. (C) Johnston thanked Polmincouns for the suggested press elements, saying that this seemed to him a useful and an appropriate way to mark the UK's successful interdiction of these attacks. He believed that the UK was the most appropriate delegation to lead such an effort and would immediately refer the suggestion with his recommendation to London for their decision. He agreed that the adoption of such a statement this week would be timely despite the understandable delay caused by the Council's preoccupation with the crisis in Lebanon last week. Johnston hoped for an overnight response from his capital and promised to relay any reaction. BOLTON