Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NEWDELHI2732
2008-10-17 09:35:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy New Delhi
Cable title:
INDIAN AMBASSADOR IN SEOUL TO PARTICIPATE IN
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UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002732
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN AMBASSADOR IN SEOUL TO PARTICIPATE IN
OCTOBER 31 APDP MEETING
REF: SECSTATE 107528
UNCLAS NEW DELHI 002732
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN AMBASSADOR IN SEOUL TO PARTICIPATE IN
OCTOBER 31 APDP MEETING
REF: SECSTATE 107528
1. (SBU) In an October 17 meeting with MEA Under Secretary
Vishwesh Negi and Korean Embassy Counselor Lee Jeongkyu,
Policy Planning Staffer Daniel Twining urged the MEA to
consider sending a Joint Secretary level official to the Asia
Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP) senior officials meeting
in Seoul on October 31. Twining's request followed the ROK
embassy's delivery of a similar demarche last week. At that
time, the MEA had said that the Indian Ambassador in Seoul
would attend the meeting, but the ROK instructed the Korean
embassy to push for Joint Secretary level representation.
2. (SBU) Negi expressed GOI fatigue with the numerous
democracy promotion initiatives, specifically the Bali
Democracy Fund (BDF) and the Community of Democracies (CD).
He noted that the GOI considers the United Nations Democracy
Fund (UNDF) as the preeminent forum for democracy promotion
and questioned the effectiveness of establishing regional
groups. Twining explained that APDP is specifically focused
on aiding fledgling democracies to strengthen their capacity,
especially regarding free and fair elections. He also
remarked that the BDF's character is very different, as both
China and Burma are members.
3. (SBU) Regarding GOI participation, Twining emphasized
that nearly all other participants have honored the ROK's
intention to hold a senior officials meeting by agreeing to
send appropriate high-level delegates. He specifically
underlined Indonesia's willingness to send a Joint Secretary
level official, adding that now India is the only "question."
Twining and Lee contended that in order to shape the
regional discussion with the gravitas befitting India, the
GOI should send a senior official from Delhi who handles
multilateral affairs -- rather than an ambassador mainly
concerned with bilateral relations. Negi promised to relay
the message to his Joint Secretary, but tempered the
assurance with the caveat that the timing of the Seoul
meeting may preclude higher level participation.
WHITE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KDEM PGOV PHUM PREL IN
SUBJECT: INDIAN AMBASSADOR IN SEOUL TO PARTICIPATE IN
OCTOBER 31 APDP MEETING
REF: SECSTATE 107528
1. (SBU) In an October 17 meeting with MEA Under Secretary
Vishwesh Negi and Korean Embassy Counselor Lee Jeongkyu,
Policy Planning Staffer Daniel Twining urged the MEA to
consider sending a Joint Secretary level official to the Asia
Pacific Democracy Partnership (APDP) senior officials meeting
in Seoul on October 31. Twining's request followed the ROK
embassy's delivery of a similar demarche last week. At that
time, the MEA had said that the Indian Ambassador in Seoul
would attend the meeting, but the ROK instructed the Korean
embassy to push for Joint Secretary level representation.
2. (SBU) Negi expressed GOI fatigue with the numerous
democracy promotion initiatives, specifically the Bali
Democracy Fund (BDF) and the Community of Democracies (CD).
He noted that the GOI considers the United Nations Democracy
Fund (UNDF) as the preeminent forum for democracy promotion
and questioned the effectiveness of establishing regional
groups. Twining explained that APDP is specifically focused
on aiding fledgling democracies to strengthen their capacity,
especially regarding free and fair elections. He also
remarked that the BDF's character is very different, as both
China and Burma are members.
3. (SBU) Regarding GOI participation, Twining emphasized
that nearly all other participants have honored the ROK's
intention to hold a senior officials meeting by agreeing to
send appropriate high-level delegates. He specifically
underlined Indonesia's willingness to send a Joint Secretary
level official, adding that now India is the only "question."
Twining and Lee contended that in order to shape the
regional discussion with the gravitas befitting India, the
GOI should send a senior official from Delhi who handles
multilateral affairs -- rather than an ambassador mainly
concerned with bilateral relations. Negi promised to relay
the message to his Joint Secretary, but tempered the
assurance with the caveat that the timing of the Seoul
meeting may preclude higher level participation.
WHITE