PHILIPPINES WEIGHS STANCE ON NONPROLIFERATION

UNCLAS MANILA 000379 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR ISN/MNSA GENEVA FOR CD UNVIE FOR IAEA USUN FOR POL USNATO FOR POL USEU FOR POL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AORC CDG ENRG KNNP MNUC PARM PGOV PREL UNGA IAEA, NPT, RP SUBJECT: PHILIPPINES WEIGHS STANCE ON NONPROLIFERATION TREATY ISSUES REF: STATE 06970 ¶1. (SBU) Post discussed reftel points with Director Leah Ruiz of the Office of United Nations and International Organizations (UNIO) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),detailing U.S. priorities for the NPT Preparatory Committee meeting in May and underscoring U.S. concerns that certain parties may attempt to use the need for consensus on the agenda as a means of blocking substantive discussions. Director Ruiz expressed her government's strong support for the principles of nonproliferation and disarmament and its firm belief that disarmament must go hand-in-hand with nonproliferation. She added that the Philippine government is still formulating its negotiating stance for the Preparatory Committee meeting, and thus she could not provide information concerning what objectives the government might pursue or support. ¶2. (SBU) The Philippine government traditionally favors a consensus solution in international negotiations, and it is not unreasonable to assume that it will adopt the same approach with the NPT review process. Post will continue to engage with DFA to try to ascertain the Philippine government's position on reftel points. ¶3. (U) Post POC: Political Officer Philip A. Thompson, tel.: 632-301-2000, x2370, fax: 632-301-2472, E-mail: ThompsonPA@State.gov. KENNEY