ESTONIA'S 63rd UNGA PRIORITIES

UNCLAS TALLINN 000293 STATE FOR EUR/NB (RODRIGUES) DEPT FOR EUR/PGI UNGA COORDINATOR (TESSLER) DEPT ALSO FOR IO/UNP (SUN) and P (REINEMEYER) NSC FOR MCDONALD SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV UNGA EN SUBJECT: ESTONIA'S 63rd UNGA PRIORITIES ¶1. (U) In a conversation with Poloff on August 21, Veikko Kala, UN Desk Officer at the Estonian MFA discussed Estonia's priorities for the 63rd UNGA. (SBU) Kala noted that in light of recent events in Georgia, GOE briefing papers and other preparatory documents are now being revised. For example, Estonian President Ilves' September 24 address to the General Assembly is currently being rewritten to reflect the GOE's position on the conflict. The recent cyber attacks against Georgia will also play a central role in the GOE's intended call to other nations to join the Council of Europe Cyber Security Convention. ¶2. (U) After cyber security, mainstream gender and HIV policies are top GOE UNGA priorities. During the 62nd UNGA, the GOE closely monitored the Third Committee proceedings related to the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM). This year, Estonia would like to see the creation of a UN Gender body. With respect to HIV, Kala referenced the UN High-level Meeting on AIDS held in New York last June that was attended by the Estonian Ambassador to the U.S. and representatives from the GOE Ministry of Health. During this meeting, HIV prevention policy goals were set through 2010. The GOE would like to see the UN move forward in pursuit of these goals. ¶3. (U) Finally, Kala stated that the GOE is concerned that Russia will again propose a resolution on 'racism' in the Third Committee as it has done for the past several years. The resolution calls for an increased effort to combat neo-Nazism and racism in Europe. The GOE is worried that despite GOR claims that this resolution is intended to combat racism, it is in reality 'aimed' at certain countries, including Estonia. As an example, Kala cited a similar resolution the GOR introduced last year which contained a reference to the removal or transfer of monuments. (Note: Last year's UNGA took place 5 months after the GOE decision to move the Soviet-era 'Bronze Soldier' monument sparked riots in Tallinn and damaged Estonia-Russian bilateral relations. End Note.) Kala acknowledged that the U.S. has voted against this resolution in the past. However, he expressed concerns over the GOE's ability to convince other EU countries, many of whom have previously voted in favor of the resolution, to do the same this year. ¶4. Kala also highlighted shared EU priorities for UNGA, of which the Millennium Development Goals and counter terrorism strategy are at the top of the list. With respect to the Millennium Development Goals, Kala cited EU concerns over food security and supply, climate change, trade and the environment. The EU would also like to see progress made towards ratifying the United Nations Convention on International Terrorism. Phillips