UNGA 62 GENERAL DEBATE: SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM,

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TAGS: ECIN PGOV PHUM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: UNGA 62 GENERAL DEBATE: SECURITY COUNCIL REFORM,
IRAN, IRAQ, THE MIDDLE EAST AND MORE

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SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED; PROTECT ACCORDINGLY.


1. (SBU) Summary: Representatives from 191 member states
spoke during the General Debate of the 62nd United Nations
General Assembly (UNGA) from September 25 through October 3,
2007 and covered many themes in common. On Security Council
Reform, many countries called for a more representative
Council and suggested several candidates for membership, most
frequently Japan, Germany and India. Regarding Iran, leaders
from Germany, France, UK and Japan took strong stands against
Iran's nuclear activities, while Iran claimed it had
fulfilled its IAEA obligations. On Iraq, many leaders
acknowledged the importance of a stable Iraq to the region
and supported the ongoing reconstruction and reconciliation,
but several criticized U.S. policy in Iraq. Regarding the
Israel-Palestinian conflict, most countries encouraged
dialogue and reacted positively to the upcoming U.S.-proposed
peace conference. As events in Burma unfolded, member-states
expressed support for democratization and called on Burma to
end the use of excessive force, while Burma's Foreign
Minister claimed Burma was a victim of a campaign to
destabilize the country, which he said has since returned to
normalcy. On Kosovo, European leaders supported UN Envoy
Ahtissari's work; Serbia, however, predictably expressed
concern over what it called violations of its territorial
integrity. Discussion on trade focused on inequitable
practices and calls for a successful conclusion of the Doha
negotiations, and nearly every leader gave ideas on climate
change. End Summary.


2. (U) This year's General Debate of the United Nations
General Assembly took place over the period September 25 to
October 3 and featured 191 presentations, 70 delivered by

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heads of state. USUN summarizes significant comments on
major themes. Positive and negative comments on U.S.
policies will be reported septel. Copies of all speeches may
be viewed at http://www.un.org/webcast/ga/62/.

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Reform of the Security Council
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3. (U) Discussion of UN reform concentrated primarily on
ideas for modifying the composition of permanent and
non-permanent members of the Security Council. There was
broad support among developing and developed states alike for
increasing the size of the Council, and in particular,
increasing the number of permanent member seats. Many
nations argued that changes to the Council were needed to
better reflect the realities of today's world and to improve
the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Council.


4. (SBU) Among European states, Germany announced its own
readiness to become a permanent member; Slovakia lent support
to Germany and Japan. Spain, France and Russia made no
reference to Security Council reform at all. The UK would
support permanent seats for Germany, Japan, India, Brazil and
an African nation; however, the UK was not wedded to a single
model of reform. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said
that Italy was opposed to any model of Security Council
reform calling for the expansion of permanent members. Japan
voiced support for expanding the Council and increasing the
body's effectiveness, but made no pronouncement about its own
readiness to become a permanent member.


5. (SBU) Most African nations expressed dissatisfaction with

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the Security Council status quo, suggesting that reform is
needed to better reflect today's geopolitics. South Africa
criticized the UN, saying it is "difficult to demonstrate
decisive progress" because the UN "has not itself transformed
and designed the necessary institutions of governance
consistent with noble ideals." Gambia and Zambia expressed
support for the Ezulwini Consensus, which proposes two
permanent and five non-permanent seats for Africa on the
Security Council.

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2008 - 2009 Security Council Elections
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6. (U) Eight countries are competing for the five
non-permanent Council seats up for election on October 16.
Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic will compete for the
seat occupied by Peru; Croatia and the Czech Republic will
compete for Slovakia's seat. Libya and Burkina Faso will run
uncontested for the two Africa seats, currently held by Congo
and Ghana. Vietnam will run uncontested to replace Qatar.


7. (SBU) In a preview of what might be expected during a
Libyan term on the Security Council, Foreign Minister Mohamed
Shalgham spoke at length about a need to put UN
decision-making power in the hands of all UN members.
Shalgham said the Council should become a tool to implement
General Assembly resolutions, adding, "we will overcome the
obstacles caused by the veto, which puts international
decision-making in the hands of the permanent members of the
Security Council and entrenches the resort to a selective
approach and double standards in dealing with international
problems." Libya called for a permanent seat to be given to

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the African Union and for five non-permanent and two
permanent seats to be given to African states. To achieve
all this, Libya called for a UN high-level summit meeting in
Geneva during the 63rd General Assembly dedicated to the
reform process and expansion of the Security Council.

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Tough Talk To and From Iran
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8. (SBU) European leaders sent a strong message to the UNGA
on Iran, with German Chancellor Angela Merkel telling
governments not to fool themselves about the disastrous
consequences that would result if Iran acquired a nuclear
weapon, adding, "the world does not have to prove to Iran
that Iran is not building a nuclear bomb." She cautioned
that there should be no doubt as to the dangerous nature of
Iran's nuclear program, which contradicts the demands of the
IAEA and UN, ignores the UN Security Council and is
"blatantly threatening Israel." Merkel said that Israel's
security was "non-negotiable" for Germany and added that
Germany favored a diplomatic solution, but warned that if
Iran does not respond to diplomacy, Germany would favor
harsher sanctions. France said that a nuclear Iran is an
unacceptable risk to regional and global stability and the
United Kingdom called on Iran to cease its support for
terrorist groups and its defiance of three Security Council
resolutions on its nuclear program. Japan also called for
Iran to suspend its enrichment-related activities. Russia
said urgent steps were needed to strengthen the
non-proliferation regime, but defended the right of states to
access the benefits of peaceful nuclear energy. China also
defended the right to civilian nuclear technology and called

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for diplomacy to solve the Iranian issue peacefully. Israel
called Iran a "radical regime" and blamed it for causing
trouble in Iraq, Palestine, and Lebanon.


9. (U) Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejad retorted that
Iran has been very cooperative, transparent, and fulfilled
its obligations under the IAEA, adding that Iran has spared
no effort to build confidence only to be deprived of its
rights. Ahmedinejad said that the nuclear issue is now
closed but Iran will always be willing to talk.

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Concern Over Security and Development in Iraq
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10. (SBU) The ongoing security situation in Iraq was a
concern raised by most member states. Generally, nations
were supportive of efforts for national reconciliation and
reconstruction. Iraq stated it is fighting to keep its young
democracy, and that this "New Iraq" is what the terrorists
are targeting. Speakers acknowledged the detrimental effect
an unstable Iraq would have on the entire Middle East.
Several states -- including Qatar, Oman, Libya, and Kuwait --
called on the broader international community to step up
efforts, as Iraq should not, as Qatar put it, "remain
confined to one State or an alliance of States of converging
interests." These states considered the UN's new expanded
involvement on Iraq a positive step. The United Kingdom
called for ongoing support for the development of Iraqi
security forces. A small number of states, including Yemen,
expressed support for non-interference in Iraq's internal
affairs and Syria called for "withdrawal of all foreign
forces in Iraq because this measure will contribute to

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curbing the violence." Pakistan stated the importance of
preserving Iraq's territorial integrity. However, several
nations used the subject of Iraq as an opportunity to
criticize the United States. President Ortega of Nicaragua
referred to the war in Iraq as "a war imposed by Empire in
the economic and oil interests of the Empire." Malaysia
attributed many of Iraq's current problems to foreign
occupation and argued that Iraq should be given the
opportunity to determine its own future. Iran joined the
criticism, accusing the U.S. of not having the courage to
"declare defeat and exit Iraq."

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Israel-Palestinian Conflict: Positive reactions to
U.S. peace conference
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11. (SBU) Most countries called for solving the
Israel-Palestinian conflict through dialogue, the Roadmap,
and the Quartet's plans, with the result being a two-state
solution. Many states reacted positively to the U.S.
initiative to convene a peace conference in November. Jordan
said that the Palestinian question is at the heart of the
Middle East crises, and "the region will be swept into
extremism and anarchy if the Palestinian issue is not
solved." Malaysia said, "Palestine is the single most
important issue in the way of peace and fraternity between
Islamic and Western countries." A recurrent theme among Arab
states was for the international community to "observe
international and humanitarian law," including limiting
Israel to its pre-1967 borders, affirming the right of return
for Palestinian refugees and designating Jerusalem as the
capital of Palestine. Syria asked whether Israel or

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Americans still have the will to make genuine peace, when
"actions and realities suggest otherwise."


12. (SBU) Israel said extremists are entering democratic
institutions in the Islamic world in order to strengthen
their non-democratic agenda, especially regarding religion
and education, and said Hamas and Hizbollah must choose
between violence and legitimacy. Israel criticized the Human
Rights Council for its "wildly disproportionate focus on
Israel" and called for Arab and Muslim states to assist any
new Palestinian state economically and politically. The
Palestinian Observer called for mutual understanding and
dialogue and said that "the defense of Islam, the religion of
moderation, love, and human brotherhood, falls on the
shoulders" of the "vital and responsible forces in the Middle
East that represent the conscience of its peoples and their
desire for liberty, progress, and democracy."

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Regional Crises: Burma, Kosovo
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13. (U) Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia criticized
the use of excessive force in Burma, urged Burmese leaders to
move towards democracy, and called for the release of
activist Aung San Suu Kyi. Burma neighbors India, Vietnam,
Laos and Cambodia did not mention Burma in their speeches.
Mauritius applauded President Bush's decision to impose
sanctions on Burma and Georgia's President Saakashvili called
for support of "Myanmar's Saffron Revolution for its
inevitable march of liberty," which he said echoed the Rose
and Orange revolutions. Burmese Foreign Minister U Nyan Win
told the UNGA on October 1 that his country is being

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subjected to a neo-colonialist attempt to spread
disinformation, impose sanctions, and create unrest with an
aim to invade, causing conflict and suffering for his people.
He said "political opportunists" had taken advantage of a
small protest by Buddhist monks to create "a political
showdown aided and abetted by some powerful countries." He
concluded that "normalcy has now returned in Myanmar."


14. (U) The future status of Kosovo also received significant
attention in the General Debate. Albania gave a long
presentation in support of Kosovo independence and
self-determination and tried to downplay concerns that
Albania's support was tied to an effort to create a "greater
Albania," calling such concerns xenophobic. Serbia exercised
the right of reply by giving prepared remarks arguing that by
advocating for the independence for Kosovo, Albania was
calling for the violation of Serbia's territorial integrity
and sovereignty. German Chancellor Merkel, echoing the view
of EU countries, called for more active EU and NATO roles and
hailed the work of UN Special Envoy Ahtissaari. However,
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov underlined the Russian view
that a "unilateral" approach to the crisis would not
contribute to a lasting peace.

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Need to Push Ahead with the Doha Round
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15. (U) General Debate discussion of trade issues centered on
unfair trade practices as perceived by developing states and
on bringing the Doha Round to an early, successful
conclusion. Leaders of developing nations argued that a more
equitable trade system would bolster sustainable development

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efforts, access to renewable energy resources and access to
markets. There was general support among delegates to push
ahead with the Doha Round and conclude negotiations as
quickly as possible. German Chancellor Merkel, voicing the
general sentiment of EU countries, called for talks to
concentrate on improving transparency in financial markets,
guaranteeing intellectual property rights and establishing
minimum social and legal standards for trade. Developing
countries such as Brazil, Ghana, Honduras and the Dominican
Republic criticized farm subsidies in developed nations,
especially in the EU, and endorsed Doha as a chance to
correct what they view as a system that perpetuates poverty
and severely disadvantages developing nation economies.

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Seeking a post-2012 climate agreement by 2009
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16. (U) Leaders enthusiastically praised SYG Ban's September
24 High-Level Event on Climate Change and made similar
remarks regarding the adaptation, mitigation, technology and
financing efforts needed to address this problem. Major
themes throughout included: favoring common but
differentiated responsibilities for mitigation measures
between developed and developing nations; paying attention
immediately to the most vulnerable nations-mainly Small
Island Developing States and Africa-that are the most
affected by climate change; and developing a binding
commitment to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions after
the expiry of the Kyoto Protocol's first commitment period.
Many see this UNGA as building momentum for the December
COP/MOP climate conference in Bali with the aim to conclude a
new post-2012 climate agreement by the 2009 UN climate

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meeting in Copenhagen.
KHALILZAD