PANAMA: IO PDAS WARLICK'S UNSC CONSULTATIONS

C O N F I D E N T I A L PANAMA 000221 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/07/2017 TAGS: PREL PTER UNSC PM SUBJECT: PANAMA: IO PDAS WARLICK'S UNSC CONSULTATIONS Classified By: Ambassador William A. Eaton. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) "Panama wants to be a constructive and pragmatic partner of the U.S. on the UN Security Council," 1st VP and FM Samuel Lewis told visiting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (IO PDAS) James Warlick on February 5. Mr. Warlick expressed appreciation for Panama's "pragmatism" and "seriousness" and noted that February and March promised to be busier months on the UNSC, providing a wealth of opportunities for continued close cooperation between the U.S. and Panama. MFA UNSC Senior Advisor Nils Castro requested that the USG share with Panama its ideas and recommendations for improving the effectiveness of the Counter-Terrorism Committee, which Panama chairs. In addition to meeting with Panama's Castro and his UNSC team, Mr. Warlick also had lunch with 1st VP and FM Lewis, Amb. Castro, and MFA Senior Advisor Adolfo Ahumada. End summary. -------------- Burma -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Mr. Warlick thanked Panama for its support for the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) on Burma. Even though this resolution was blocked by vetoes by China and Russia, Warlick noted that it sent a strong message to Burma, that ASEAN was more confident in its wake, and that this issue would return to the UNSC. Amb. Castro underscored that the Burma problem persisted and that therefore the international community needed to sustain its pressure on Burma to change its ways. Noting that the Southeast Asians were not convinced that Burma constituted a threat to "international peace and security," Amb. Castro said that the other UN bodies should be energized to advance social and economic development in Burma. Reminding Amb. Castro that the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC),the International Labor Organization (ILO),and the UN Special Envoy were engaged, Mr. Warlick noted that regional attitudes were changing regarding the threat posed by Burma's behavior. -------------- Haiti -------------- ¶3. (C) Mr. Warlick also thanked Panama for its work on Haiti to secure a roll-over UNSCR to re-authorize the MINUSTAH peacekeeping operation (PKO). 1st VP and FM Lewis and Amb. Castro separately stated that Panama was committed to 
continuing to work for a 12-month renewal of MINUSTAH's mandate. 1st VP and FM Lewis explained that he had spoken directly with Haitian President Preval urging him to make amends with China and to refrain from becoming enmeshed in China-Taiwan tensions. Following consultations with Panama's neighbors -- particularly major Latin American MINUSTAH troop contributors Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Chile -- 1st VP and FM Lewis said that he sent messages to both Taipei and Beijing that underscored the importance for the hemisphere of a successful MINUSTAH mission in Haiti, the necessity that this PKO continue, and the desirability of a 12 month roll-over. ¶4. (SBU) Amb. Castro said it was "very important to make investments in institutional development" in order to "build sustainability" for the GOH. Panama was looking to see if it could help build Panama's institutional capacity. Amb. Castro explained that the GOP was considering providing assistance from its Comptroller General's Office, Public Registry, Ministry of Health, and water management authority. Latin American troop contributors, while they understood the need to remain engaged in Haiti, also needed to be able to demonstrate Haiti's progress toward sustainability in order to justify their continued participation in MINUSTAH, Amb. Castro explained. Additionally, Amb. Castro noted that a way need to be found to encourage educated and talented Haitian professionals to return to the Haiti. -------------- Counter-Terrorism Committee -------------- ¶5. (C) Amb. Castro noted that Panama was honored to have been chosen to head the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC). Panama was actively consulting regarding the work of the CTC and hoped to play a useful role in improving this committee's effectiveness at help Member States improve their ability to fight terrorism. Both 1st VP and FM Lewis and Amb. Castro requested that the U.S. share its ideas and proposals regarding the best way forward for the CTC. -------------- Kosovo and Georgia -------------- ¶6. (C) Noting that UNSYG Special Envoy for Kosovo Martti Ahtisaari was currently sharing his views and proposals with key stakeholders, Mr. Warlick noted that Kosovo would return to the UNSC in March for a new resolution that the U.S. would present. Castro said that it would be "important to not talk about independence" in this UNSCR. While acknowledging that Panama did not know much about Kosovo, Amb. Castro said, "We would face a sustainability issue" with respect to Kosovo and that Panama "would like to see an end to the period of fragmentation in the region." Mr. Warlick noted that it would not mention "independence. The goal was to present a resolution that would acceptable and that would avoid the possibility of a Russian veto. Amb. Castro expressed his satisfaction at this approach. ¶7. (C) Turning to Georgia, both Amb. Castro and Mr. Warlick acknowledged that Russia would seek linkages between the Kosovo resolution and the UNOMIG roll-over UNSCR that would need to be completed by April. Ideally, the U.S. would prefer to de-link the two resolutions. Amb. Castro concurred that, as much as possible, the Kosovo and Georgia resolutions should be kept separate and said that the U.S. approach "sounded reasonable." -------------- Iran -------------- ¶8. (SBU) Responding to Amb. Castro's inquiry about Iran, Mr. Warlick noted that the Council would receive its next report on Iran's nuclear program in February. Depending on Iran's actions and the findings of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA),the U.S. would consider another resolution that would propose modest, consensus steps (including some additional targeted sanctions) and hopefully avoid a long, contentious debate. Amb. Castro inquired if a way could be found through the EU-3 for informal U.S.-Iran talks. Mr. Warlick responded that the U.S. was prepared to talk to Iran if Iran suspended enrichment and allowed verification. "It's Iran's choice," Mr. Warlick explained. "Suspend, verify, talk," Amb. Castro echoed. -------------- Western Sahara -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Amb. Castro underscored Panama's long-term commitment to Western Sahara, with which Panama established relations in the 1970s. Noting that he did not "understand why this matter was so important to Morocco," Castro said that the Baker process offered the best prospect for a solution. MINURSO's mandate renewal at the end of April would be the time to consider next steps. -------------- Somalia and Sudan -------------- ¶10. (SBU) First VP and FM Lewis and Amb. Castro underscored the need to respond to the humanitarian crises in Somalia and Africa. Both supported Africa Union (AU) in its efforts in both areas. -------------- Middle East -------------- ¶11. (C) Warlick stressed the importance of UN Security Council and UN General Assembly actions on the Middle East that were balanced towards Israel and supported the work of the Quartet. He noted the unhelpful actions of the Qataris and the need to work together with Panama in the Council to ensure to avoid unhelpful resolutions and presidential statements that did not further the interests of peace and security. First VP and FM Lewis agreed that early consultations with the U.S. would be helpful. ¶12. (U) IO PDAS Warlick has cleared this message. Arreaga