THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH NEW ZEALAND FM

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MANILA 002706 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR D AND EAP E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2027 TAGS: ASEAN ETRD PREL EXBS NZ SUBJECT: THE DEPUTY SECRETARY'S MEETING WITH NEW ZEALAND FM PETERS Classified By: CDA Paul Jones, reasons 1.4 c, d ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters raised iss Asian/Pacific safety and security, particularly concerning Fiji and the Islands with the Deputy Secretary August 1 at the ASEAN Regional Forum Manila, Philippines. Peters suggested that the U.S. should limit its s and UN financing for the use of Fijian forces on UN peacekeeping missio protest the lack of democracy in Fiji. Peters also reaffirmed New Zeal commitment to maintain troops in the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PR Afghanistan through September 2008. He also affirmed support for the S Talks agreement and willingness to provide technical assistance. Recen to the U.S. by Prime Minister Clark and Minister of Trade Goff have bee beneficial to bilateral relations. The Deputy Secretary welcomed the i relations over the past 12 months. END SUMMARY. REGIONAL POLITICAL CONCERNS -------------- ¶2. (C) FM Peters said New Zealand is particularly concerned about the l progress towards democratic reform and the disregard for the rule of la Fiji. "There is not a committed path towards free elections." the Mini stated. Fijian military leaders feel they are free to do as they pleas countries have ignored the current situation as nothing more than a "bl coup." This could, however, have a ripple effect throughout Micronesia Clear, unequivocal messages should be conveyed to the government that democratic reform is needed. While failing to address domestic reforms has made relatively large troop commitments to UN Peace and Security Fo Peters suggested that the U.S. limit its support and UN financing for t of Fijian forces on UN peacekeeping missions. The UK should implement actions. ¶3. (C) Peters raised similar concerns about the military leadership in Solomon Islands and plans to undermine the Regional Assistance Mission Solomon Islands (RAMSI). New Attorney General Moti has a very unsavory including criminal convictions in Australia and allegations of corrupti actions are contrary to the desires of the local population. New Zeala Deputy Secretary John McArthur added that "there is a real risk of inst and civil war, coupled with a resurgence of tribalism." SECRETARY RICE INVITED TO ASIA/PACIFIC FORUM SIPDIS -------------- ¶4. (C) FM Peters requested Secretary Rice's participation in the Asia/P Forum, indicating her participation would convey a strong message to th region. Though the population may be relatively small, the area encomp more than a quarter of the world's oceans. These relationships should overlooked, he continued. Secretary Rice's presence would also counter rising impact of the Chinese, who have been investing heavily throughou region. REGIONAL PEACEKEEPING TROOP COMMITMENT TO AFGHANISTAN -------------- -------------- ¶5. (C) Peters reconfirmed New Zealand's peacekeeping role in Afghanista through September 2008. Peters said, "the mission has been effective a efficient, and is going as well as can be expected." The initial deplo consisted of special forces troops, but more recently has been transiti the Territorial Army (similar to the U.S. National Guard). With milita commitments in 19 theaters, NZ forces are stretched thinly, he added. SIX-PARTY TALKS -------------- ¶6. (C) Peters said New Zealand takes the Six-Party agreement very serio would like to see it brought through to conclusion. New Zealand has be informally approached by the DPRK to provide assistance, but does not y a clear package of ideas to propose. New Zealand would calibrate its as to progress in the Talks and would like to participate in any way appro should the Talks be broadened to include other nations, Peters added. ( The MFAT website today added an announcement that Peters had accepted a invitation to visit North Korea. End note.) ¶7. (C) The Deputy Secretary closed the discussions by observing their b relations have improved significantly and may be at their most importan He thanked the Foreign Minister for his kind invitation to visit New Ze ¶8. (C) Participants: U.S. The Deputy Secretary MANILA 00002706 002 OF 002 Ms. Kaye Lee, Special Assistant to Deputy Secretary Mr. Ted Wittenstein, Special Assistant to Deputy Secretary Ms. Colleen Kelly, Staff, EAP/Regional & Security Policy Mr. Thomas Brennan, Embassy Notetaker - FCS New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters Deputy Secretary MFAT John McArthur Mr. Nigel Moore, DG and Director Asia Division MFAT Mr. Rob Moore-Jones, Foreign Policy Advisor Mr. James Funnell, Press Secretary JONES