UNGA PRESIDENT PROPOSES MECHANISM TO MOVE FORWARD

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000882 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2017 TAGS: PREL UNSC SUBJECT: UNGA PRESIDENT PROPOSES MECHANISM TO MOVE FORWARD ON UNSC REFORM Classified By: Ambassador Alejandro D. Wolff, per 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) During a meeting with Ambassador Khalilzad on October 17, President of the UN General Assembly (PGA) Srgjan Kerim proposed that he convene a "Group of Friends" to agree on the modalities and the substantive elements for the inter-governmental negotiations on UNSC reform set to begin in the 2007-08 session of the Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG). This group would be comprised of approximately ten PermReps in addition to the PGA. Although he did not specify which ten countries he would invite to join, USUN has learned that Kerim is considering asking two countries from each UN regional group. While acknowledging that several delegates have reacted skeptically to his idea, Kerim seemed determined to press ahead and possibly announce the Group and its members as early as the November 12 UNGA plenary session on UNSC reform. The PGA said he would not/not move forward with this idea, however, until after he has had a chance to discuss it with Secretary Rice. Separately, Kerim's staff has asked USUN for U.S. views on an idea floated by the Belgian FM during the General Debate that the SYG appoint a high-level envoy to travel to capitals to achieve consensus on UNSC reform and then present a resolution to the UNGA for an up-or-down vote. ¶2. (C) Most delegations contacted by USUN questioned whether the PGA could assemble a group that would be both representative of the wider membership and a productive forum in which to move the UNSC reform process forward. In these discussions, delegates suggested two possible ways the PGA might select members: invite leaders of the G-4 and Uniting for Consensus (UFC) as well as all or most of the P-5 -- although this model would be at odds with selecting two members from each regional group, or invite ten members without any clear allegiances on UNSC reform. The first model risks gridlock while the second risks complaints of exclusion and lack of representativeness. Within the P-5, the Russians and Chinese seem least enthusiastic about the idea for a Group of Friends, because they believe P-5 membership in the Group would suggest eventual P-5 support for the UNSC reform elements it produces. The British and French, while skeptical of the value of the group, believe their capitals would want to join. Within the G-4, the Japanese and Indians are split on the tactical wisdom of the PGA convening such a group, while UFC countries are generally opposed to a role for the PGA in setting the basis for inter-governmental negotiations. ¶3. (C) Comment: USUN has preliminarily told the PGA's staff that, should Kerim decide to move forward with the Group of Friends idea, it should be devoted to achieving broad-based reform of the UN, including Security Council reform. We have also told Kerim's staff that formation of this group and agreement on its terms of reference should take place after the SYG's planned retreat on UN reform in November 2007 with select PermReps. USUN has also told the Belgians that their idea for a high-level envoy on UNSC reform should not be pursued at this time. KHALILZAD