CAMBODIA LEANING TO SUPPORT CANDIDACY OF DAVID

UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 001352 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, IO/MPR/ISC - BRIAN HACKETT USUN FOR BRUCE RASHKOW, JOAN PLAISTED E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AORC UNAUS UNGA CB SUBJECT: CAMBODIA LEANING TO SUPPORT CANDIDACY OF DAVID WALKER REF: A. STATE 149678 ¶B. STATE 146857 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION ON THE INTERNET. (SBU) In answer to Ref A demarche, Director of Cambodian MFA Office of International Affairs Suon Son told Pol/Ec section chief October 30 that he had highlighted in the strongest terms our previous delivery of demarche in support of David Walker (Ref B) and that MFA Secretary of State Ouch Borith was in full support of the candidate. Suon, who has previously served as Cambodia's representative to the United Nations (as has Ouch Borith),noted that he emphasized the importance to the U.S. of having a member on the UN's IAAC as the U.S. is the largest contributor and deeply involved in UN financial reform. Suon said that Ouch Borith believed in the political significance of Cambodia's support for the U.S. candidate, as did Suon. He took on board our request to instruct Cambodia's representative at the UN to vote for Walker. However, the final decision would be taken by Foreign Minister Hor Namhong and no final decision has yet been made, Suon noted. (COMMENT: We believe such strong support at this level in the MFA will translate into full support in the November 2 vote at the UN. END COMMENT.) MUSSOMELI