Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE105114
2008-10-01 21:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

REQUEST FOR HEAD OF STATE-LEVEL DEMARCHE BY

Tags:  PREL UNGA BF 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0015
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #5114 2752153
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 012150Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHBH/AMEMBASSY NASSAU IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
UNCLAS STATE 105114 

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

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

UNCLAS STATE 105114

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

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


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

OBJECTIVE
--------------


2. To seek tangible improvements in UNGA voting by the
Bahamas 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. To align the Bahamas' voting
record more closely with that of the U.S. on key votes,
the Ambassador or Charge is requested to meet with the
Head of State, upon his return from UNGA, and deliver a
demarche bringing his attention to his country's low voting
coincidence with the U.S. (when not including consensus
resolutions). If the Head of State is not
available to receive the demarche within a reasonable time,
the meeting should be held with the Foreign Minister.

TALKING POINTS
--------------


4. Ambassador or Charge may draw on the following points:

-- As allies, the United States and the Bahamas 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 the Bahamas only voted with the U.S. 15 percent
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.

-- As the new session of the UN General Assembly begins, I
hope you will bear in mind that in the U.S. both the
President and the Congress view UN voting coincidence as a
barometer of the closeness of a bilateral relationship.

-- 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 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