Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09CANBERRA24
2009-01-08 05:30:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA CANNOT SUPPORT DELAY IN UNDP PRESIDENCY
VZCZCXYZ0003 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBY #0024 0080530 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 080530Z JAN 09 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0793 INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1977 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0736
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)
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
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