AUSTRALIA CANNOT SUPPORT DELAY IN UNDP PRESIDENCY

C O N F I D E N T I A L CANBERRA 000024 SIPDIS DEPARTMENT FOR IO/EDP CHARLES CHANG E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2019 TAGS: PREF IR UN EAID AS SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA CANNOT SUPPORT DELAY IN UNDP PRESIDENCY ELECTION REF: STATE 1500 Classified By: Political Counselor James F. Cole for reasons 1.4(b) and (d) ¶1. (C/NF) Australian government representatives advised Poloff in reftel demarche that it is sympathetic to the U.S. position to prevent Iran from obtaining the UNDP Presidency, but agrees with the Western European and Others Group (WEOG) that the election should not be delayed. Lalita Kapur and Lee Kerr, United Nations and Commonwealth Section, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, shared that Australia does not see an Iranian Presidency as desirable but it prefers to not question either the WEOG position against procedural changes or the Asia Group's recommended candidate. While Australia was not involved in developing the Asia Group's recommendation, Kapur understood there was not much interest from other Asia Group members in the Presidency. (Note: It is noteworthy that in a period of significantly reduced governmental activity when positions on many other issues are being delayed, this position was approved by FM Smith. End note.) CLUNE