GENERAL COMMITTEE GUIDANCE (SEPT 17): NATURAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 099203 SIPDIS USUN FOR DELAURENTIS AND WILLSON E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/16/2018 TAGS: PREL AORC KPAO UNGA SUBJECT: GENERAL COMMITTEE GUIDANCE (SEPT 17): NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONFLICT Classified By: IO PDAS James Warlick. Reason 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Following is guidance on a supplementary item proposed for inclusion in the 63rd session of the UNGA: "Natural Resources and Conflict." Guidance is for the September 17 General Committee meeting. ¶2. (SBU) The proposed item is based on Belgium's prior sponsorship of a June 25 Security Council debate on the same subject. Belgium will not introduce a resolution or propose follow-on steps. Rather, Belgium will call for a "non-polarizing" discussion of relevant issues in the General Assembly, including a reference to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative and African resources issues. ¶3. (C) The Russian Federation has opposed this agenda item and has reconfirmed its opposition during a Belgium demarche in Moscow. France (as EU President) and the UK plan to make strong statements in support. ¶4. (SBU) In addressing this proposed agenda item, USUN should: -- Join consensus for or, if the Mission must vote in the GC on whether to inscribe this item, vote "yes." RICE