Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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08STATE105112 | 2008-10-01 21:48:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Secretary of State |
VZCZCXYZ0009 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #5112 2752152 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 012148Z OCT 08 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO IMMEDIATE 0000 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000 |
UNCLAS STATE 105112 |
1. This is an action request for the Ambassador or Charge. OBJECTIVE -------------------------- 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 -------------------------- 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 -------------------------- 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 -------------------------- 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 |