PHILIPPINE PARTICIPATION AT 63RD UN GENERAL

UNCLAS MANILA 001833 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/RSP (TIKVART),EAP/MTS STATE ALSO FOR IO/UNP (SUN),USUN (TBD),NSC (MCDONALD),P (REINMEYER) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL UNGA RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINE PARTICIPATION AT 63RD UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY REF: A. SECSTATE 72078 ¶B. MANILA 1722 ¶1. (SBU) The Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) conveyed to Post on July 31 that its New York Mission reported that President Arroyo is slated to be the fourth speaker on September 23, the opening day of the General Debate, as had been expected (ref B). Office of United Nations and Other International Organizations (UNIO) Special Assistant Queenie Adiamar told Post that given President Arroyo's prominent speaking slot, UNIO officials fully expect President Arroyo to attend. However, UNIO Assistant Secretary Evan Garcia has been traveling and will not return until August 4, so he has not been able to review the proposed schedules, which therefore remain tentative. Nonetheless, Post noted the requested response date of August 1 and pressed for UNIO's expectation of what the composition of the Philippine delegation would be. Per reftel A guidance and format, Post provides in paragraph 2 the information that Ms. Adiamar offered and will provide confirmations and more information as they become available. ¶2. (SBU) Philippine Government Attendees to the 63rd UN General Assembly (Tentative). ¶A. Head of State plans to attend: -- Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, President of the Republic of the Philippines -- Tentative schedule: September 22 to 26. Arrival and departure dates are uncertain. -- No answer yet on spousal travel. -- No interpretation into English required. ¶B. Head of Government plans to attend: Same as Head of State. ¶C. Foreign Minister plans to attend: -- Alberto Romulo, Secretary of Foreign Affairs -- Tentative schedule: September 22 to 26. Arrival and departure dates are uncertain. -- Spouse will not travel to New York (tentative). -- No interpretation into English required. ¶D. No other VIPs plan to attend (tentative) ¶E. DFA Officials -- Evan Garcia, Assistant Secretary for United Nations and Other International Organizations. -- Tentative schedule: September 22 to 26. Arrival and departure dates are uncertain. -- Spouse will not travel to New York. -- No interpretation into English required. KENNEY