NEW ZEALAND AND THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES; APDP

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000796 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/ANP; DRL/MLGA LAURA JORDAN STATE INFO TO COMMUNITIES OF DEMOCRACIES OBSERVERS COLLECTIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KDEM NZ SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND AND THE COMMUNITY OF DEMOCRACIES; APDP REF: A. STATE 151024 ¶B. STATE 129764 ¶1. (SBU) Pol/Econ Counselor met with Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT Director of the Americas Division Carl Worker on October 31 and discussed the Community of Democracies meeting in Bamako in mid-November as well as GNZ participation in the Asia Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP). Worker related that the GNZ would most likely not be attending the session in Mali. New Zealand's Ministry and NZAID staff are limited and there are other pressing trips. Moreover, New Zealand lacks missions in Africa who might cover the meetings. The GNZ has also not yet made a final decision on joining the APDP, and will welcome the readout of discussions in Mali aimed at providing greater clarification to the initiative's objectives and proposed areas of engagement within the region. New Zealand would also appreciate knowing where other Asian countries -- particularly Indonesia, Japan, and Korea stand on participation. Worker underscored that New Zealand wants to be forward leaning on the APDP, but the Americas Division would appreciate greater detail on the APDP before sending the proposal forward for Minister Peter's decision. McCormick