Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08STATE98963
2008-09-16 16:33:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Secretary of State
Cable title:  

CONTACT POLICY FOR THE 63RD UNGA

Tags:  OFDP PREL UNGA 
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O 161633Z SEP 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
UNCLAS STATE 098963 

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: CONTACT POLICY FOR THE 63RD UNGA

UNCLAS STATE 098963

SENSITIVE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OFDP PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: CONTACT POLICY FOR THE 63RD UNGA


1. (U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.


2. (U) USUN personnel and TDY personnel representing the
U.S. government at the UN are requested to adhere to the
guidelines below in official and social interactions with
governments and entities that require special treatment.
(These guidelines do not affect necessary contacts with
the missions of these governments and entities with
respect to ongoing host country responsibilities, e.g.,
visas, travel restrictions).


3. (SBU) In general, substantive contacts should not be
initiated with delegates from Cuba, Syria, Iran, and North
Korea. However, contacts are permitted in the conduct of
UN business, e.g., working with the chairman of a
committee or working group from one of these countries.


4. (SBU) In general, social invitations should not be
issued to delegates from Cuba, Iran, Syria, Burma, North
Korea, Sudan, Eritrea, Mauritania and Zimbabwe. In
addition, for purposes of UNGA only, social invitations
should not be issued to delegates from Venezuela and Bolivia.
USUN and TDY personnel should be especially sensitive to this
guidance and should exclude any delegates from these
countries from social functions held on U.S. property,
i.e., USUN or the Perm Rep's official residence.


5. (SBU) USUN and TDY personnel may not accept invitations
to luncheons, receptions or dinners hosted by the
countries identified in paras 3 and 4 above for purely
social purposes. There is, however, no prohibition
against attending functions that are specifically related
to UN business, e.g., a luncheon of a bureau or a
committee. Further, there is no prohibition against
attending receptions or other events hosted by member
states where it is known that representatives of these
countries will be present. USUN and TDY personnel should
not initiate contact with delegates of the countries
listed in the first sentence of paragraph 4.


6. (SBU) Additional guidance follows:

Russia: The Secretary has publicly said that we should not
engage in "business as usual" with Russia following
Russian military action in Georgia. Bilateral contact
with Russian officials for purely social,
representational, ceremonial and non-essential diplomatic
purposes should therefore be avoided. However, U.S.
officials should maintain diplomatic contacts with Russian
counterparts on UN issues when it serves the broader U.S.
national interest, such as on UN Security Council,
Quartet, humanitarian relief, management, and
security/political issues. Refer questions for more
specific guidance to EUR/RUS Daphne Stavropoulos and
IO/UNP Susan Edmondson.

Belarus: Contact with the Belarus delegation should be
avoided for purely social purposes. There is, however, no
prohibition on contact for UN business.

PLO: Regular and substantive contact with PA officials and
ministries is permitted for USUN and TDY personnel. This
includes continued contact with PA entities and with the
PLO. PLO and PA members may be invited to
representational events.

No contact is allowed, however, with any Palestinian who
is in any way affiliated with a Foreign Terrorist
Organization (FTO),including HAMAS, or the Palestinian
Islamic Jihad, etc.

Taiwan: Taiwan representatives may not be invited to
functions of an official nature or to functions held on
U.S. official premises. USUN and TDY personnel may accept
invitations to private functions hosted by Taiwan
representatives either in restaurants or their homes.
Invitations may not be accepted to "official" premises.
USUN personnel may host Taiwan representatives at private
functions at restaurants or in their homes except for the
U.S. Perm Rep's residence.
RICE