AUSTRALIAN PERMREP PUSHES UNSC REFORM AND

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000966

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL KUNR UNSC KDEM
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIAN PERMREP PUSHES UNSC REFORM AND
DEMOCRACY CAUCUS


1. (SBU) During a meeting on November 2 with Amb Khalilzad,
Australian PermRep Robert Hill sought clarification about
whether the U.S. had adopted a more forward-leaning approach
on UNSC reform after President Bush's speech to the UNGA
(other topics covered septel). Amb Khalilzad told him the
U.S. is willing to listen to good ideas and believes nations
other than Japan should be considered for permanent
membership on the UNSC. But UNSC reform would have to be
part of a package of broader reform of the UN. Amb Khalilzad
said the U.S. was beginning to think about what other reforms
should comprise that overall package, and would look to begin
a dialogue with countries such as Australia on this issue
over the next several months. The Secretary-General's
planned retreat on UN reform in January 2007 could be a
useful forum to discuss this issue. Hill appreciated the
clarification and noted that Australia had recently announced
that it would support India, in addition to Japan, for
permanent membership on the UNSC.


2. (SBU) Hill also raised the need to reinvigorate the UN
Democracy Caucus. Noting that the last meeting of the caucus
took place in 2004, Hill suggested that Portugal -- which is
set to assume the chair of the Community of Democracies (the
group which the Caucus seeks to emulate at the UN) -- should
be encouraged to call more meetings of the caucus and perhaps
use it to push a democracy-themed resolution at the UN. Amb
Khalilzad agreed that reinvigorating the caucus would be a
useful step. Hill agreed to host a meeting with Amb
Khalilzad and the Portugese PermRep after the upcoming Bamako
Ministerial meeting of the Community of Democracies concludes
to discuss next steps.
Khalilzad