UNCLAS STATE 105112

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL UNGA MX
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR HEAD OF STATE-LEVEL DEMARCHE BY
AMBASSADOR


1. This is an action request for the Ambassador or Charge.

OBJECTIVE
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2. To seek tangible improvements in UNGA voting by Mexico as
part of a targeted effort to engage 17 friendly countries
whose UNGA voting records vary sharply from their close
relations with the U.S. The President and the Secretary have
endorsed this initiative.

ACTION REQUESTED
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3. We recognize that changing Mexico's voting record at the
UN will not be easy, despite the unprecedented increase in
bilateral law enforcement and security cooperation. In an
effort to establish a more productive exchange on UNGA
voting, with the goal of aligning Mexico,s voting record
more closely with that of the United States on key votes, the
Ambassador or Charge is requested to meet with the Head of
State or Foreign Minister upon their return from UNGA, and
deliver a demarche discussing Mexico,s low voting
coincidence with the U.S. (when not including consensus
resolutions). If the Head of State or Foreign Minister are
not available to receive the demarche within a reasonable
time, the meeting should be held with an appropriate senior
level Foreign Ministry Official.

TALKING POINTS
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4. Ambassador or charge may draw on the following points:

-- As neighbors and allies, the United States and Mexico
cooperate and work closely together in many areas. (Post may
add specific examples at its own discretion). We have many
ties of friendship as well as common hopes, principles, and
values.

-- Yet in 2007 Mexico voted with the U.S. in the UN General
Assembly only 15.8 % of the time, when not including
consensus resolutions.

-- The United States views the United Nations as having great
potential for achieving progress on many issues. If
agreement and widespread support among Member States can be
reached for balanced and responsible resolutions, decisions,
and other initiatives it would make the UN more effective and
a more credible voice in the world.

-- We understand that some votes may be explained by
solidarity with regional groups or blocs based on other
factors, but, in our view, such solidarity often appears
inconsistent with the national interests and policies of your
government outside the unique culture of the United Nations.

-- In the coming weeks I hope we can begin a dialogue between
our experts and yours on how we might better improve
cooperation on issues of importance to both of us before the
UN.

End Points.

BACKGROUND ON THIS INITIATIVE
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5. Key issues of importance to U.S. policy interests are
being brought increasingly to vote in the UN. These include
human rights, the UN budget, Israel, and development
assistance. At the same time, the Group of 77 (G-77) and
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) bloc is more unified and votes
consistently against the U.S. The Department and other
agencies have been working on a long-term strategy to counter
these developments in the General Assembly. A key element of
the Department's strategy is the delivery of demarches at the
most senior level in 17 select capitals on UNGA voting
records, U.S. priorities, and areas where we might work
together more effectively. This is the first requested
demarche, which seeks tangible improvements in UNGA voting by
the host country. Details on each UN Member State's most
recent voting records are available on the Department's
website at www.state.gov/p/io/rls/rpt/c25867/.htm in the
annual report to Congress entitled "Voting Practices in the
United Nations 2007." The Department and other agencies
believe that the diversity of national interests and
ideologies outside the UN can be translated into better
voting inside the UN through friendly but assertive
approaches to G-77/NAM countries that have reasonably good
relations with the U.S.
RICE