Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK695
2008-08-01 22:55:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USUN New York
Cable title:  

PACIFIC ISLANDS ELABORATE ON DRAFT GA RESOLUTION

Tags:  KGHG UNSC UNGA SENV AORC 
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FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4743
INFO RUEHAP/AMEMBASSY APIA 0082
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2035
RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 0022
RUEHKR/AMEMBASSY KOROR 0120
RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO 0084
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0125
RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 0414
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 2827
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 3335
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000695 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG UNSC UNGA SENV AORC
SUBJECT: PACIFIC ISLANDS ELABORATE ON DRAFT GA RESOLUTION
ON CLIMATE CHANGE, HEAR USG VIEWS

REF: A. SECSTATE 82276

B. USUN NEW YORK 681

-------
Summary
-------

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000695

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KGHG UNSC UNGA SENV AORC
SUBJECT: PACIFIC ISLANDS ELABORATE ON DRAFT GA RESOLUTION
ON CLIMATE CHANGE, HEAR USG VIEWS

REF: A. SECSTATE 82276

B. USUN NEW YORK 681

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) Eight Pacific states described in a July 31 meeting
with USUN their desire for Security Council engagement on
climate change, specifically to acknowledge its linkage to
peace and security. They recognize the risks involved, but
believe the upside worth it given that traditional UN fora
and "business as usual" has not produced adequate attention
to their concerns. USUN pledged to work with them to achieve
a constructive result, but argued that options other than the
UNSC have yet to be exhausted. By prematurely seeking UNSC
engagement, the Pacific states could only put at risk their
own interests. The Pacific representatives noted their draft
resolution has encountered reservations, but has not yet met
significant opposition. They said they would report their
finding to the Pacific leaders who meet in a summit later in
August in Niue. End summary.


2. (U) Deputy PermRep Wolff and ECOSOC Ambassador McMahan
received on July 31 a delegation of Pacific Island PermReps
(PRs) to discuss their draft General Assembly (GA) resolution
(reftels) calling on the Security Council (UNSC) to address
the "peace and security implications" of climate change.
Papua New Guinea PR Aisi chaired the Pacific Small Island
Developing States (PSIDS) delegation in light of the
hospitalization of Palau PR Beck, "our leader in this
endeavor." Also attending were the PRs of Micronesia, Fiji,
Tuvalu, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands, and a
notetaker from the Mission of Tonga.

Motivations and Intent
--------------


3. (SBU) Each of the PSIDS PermReps offered their mutually
supporting views on why their draft resolution was both
appropriate and timely. In summary, they pointed out that
every other relevant UN organ and Convention body has spoken
on climate change, including the Human Rights Council, but
the UNSC remains noticeably absent. While a UNSC discussion
took place in April 2007, there was no outcome document such
as a Presidential Statement (PRST). The PSIDS want UNSC
engagement not merely to 'check the box,' but because the
UNSC is capable of taking action, such as forming a standing

committee as it has on counter-terrorism issues.
Acknowledging concerns of UNSC "encroachment" on GA issues,
the PSIDS defended their draft resolution as "starting and
ending with the General Assembly," and emphasized its brevity
and simplicity. The linkage between climate change and peace
and security will inevitably become a higher-profile issue
for the UNSC, in the PSIDS' view, and they want the UN to
face that reality now. The Fiji PR underscored, "This issue
will not disappear." They also see the UNSC as a venue
wherein particular attention can be paid to the small island
states, since their concerns are not given such priority
attention within the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC).


4. (SBU) The PSIDS representatives repeatedly came back to
the point of wanting demonstrable UNSC engagement on climate
change, and, specifically, an explicit recognition by the
UNSC of the linkage between climate change and peace and
security.

Constructive Engagement
--------------


5. (SBU) DPR Wolff thanked the PSIDS for their coherent and
compelling case, underscoring many points of convergence with
the U.S. view and emphasizing our long-standing ties to their
states. Drawing on ref A points, he urged the PSIDS to
consider how to maximize UN effectiveness in achieving their
goals. U.S. reading of the UNSC is that it remains divided
and lacking in consensus on how it might address climate
change, meaning that any discussion there at this time would
inevitably devolve into extraneous debates and likely sap
momentum from UNFCCC negotiations by interjecting new and
divisive concepts. The DPR urged the PSIDS to consider a

USUN NEW Y 00000695 002 OF 002


different strategy, first showing they have exhausted other
avenues, such as the UNFCCC and the General Assembly, using
the UNSC only as a last recourse. The UNSC's P5 prefer to
only take action when they can be constructive, and that is
not yet the case. Ambassador McMahan underscored our common
concern not to lose momentum in global processes like the
UNFCCC, and pledged to work closely with the PSIDS to find
the best way to approach their core interests.

Going for Broke
--------------


6. (SBU) PR Aisi acknowledged the U.S. concerns and the fact
that their effort to bring climate change to the UNSC is a
gamble. That said, the PSIDS could not accept "business as
usual" and were therefore willing to take the risk, saying
their effort could either further muddy the waters or
actually provide new impetus. In their consultations thus
far with other delegations, the PSIDS have detected
"hesitation" from some states, but no "opposition." DPR
Wolff countered sympathetically but frankly that, based on
his knowledge of the UNSC, the PSIDS were making a losing
bet. He said he could imagine the PSIDS taking this step had
the UNFCCC process failed already, but given that it has not,
the PSIDS action could only threaten that process, which
could not be in their best interests. Asked if the PSIDS
thought the upcoming 63rd General Assembly could help address
their concerns, they replied that the incoming GA President
shows no sign of being more active or likely to achieve
results than the outgoing President.

Further Consultations
--------------


7. (SBU) DPR Wolff pledged to reflect carefully on the PSIDS
points and urged them to do likewise. Given that the PSIDS
had yet to consult with the majority of other UNSC members,
DPR Wolff invited further consultations once that had been
done to collaborate on how best to go forward. PR Aisi
expressed warm thanks for the meeting, explaining that they
will summarize and transmit the viewpoints they have heard to
their leaders, who will have a summit meeting later in August
in Niue. He expected a political decision to be made there
on how to go forward. PR Aisi also noted that a senior U.S.
representative, such as A/S Hill, typically participates in a
partners meeting on the margins of that summit.

Comment
--------------


8. (SBU) This meeting successfully underscored U.S.
engagement and cooperation with the Pacific Islands' missions
in New York, helping to preserve our equities in future UN
negotiations. The PSIDS seem to have understood that their
current tactics might not be the best way to achieve their
desired outcome, and that the frank and informed judgment of
the U.S. is worth seeking. The meeting also helped reveal a
core PSIDS goal of getting a UNSC reference to climate
change, and the fact that such a reference could be achieved
without recourse to a GA resolution. The UNSC's annual
report to the GA, for instance, is currently in the process
of negotiation. End comment.
Wolff