NORWAY WILL SUPPORT US NGOS AT ECOSOC, AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000433

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM KUNR NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY WILL SUPPORT US NGOS AT ECOSOC, AND
COMMENTS FRANKLY ON THE UN

REF: STATE 68551

Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Kevin Johnson for reasons 1.4(b) and (
d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: In a surprisingly frank interview, the
Assistant Director General of UN Affairs at the Norwegian MFA
stated his support for our NGO initiatives at the ECOSOC
meeting, and mused on perceptions of the Obama
administration's operations at the UN, and our differing
definitions of "UN reform." End Summary


2. (C) Responding directly to reftel demarche, Assistant
Director General Lars Petter Henie stated simply that Norway
will vote in favor of the amended recommendations at ECOSOC,
and support our proposals on the two NGOs mentioned, because
"Norway is always in favor of the rule of law," and "the
criteria should be the same for everyone."

UN REFORM--DIFFERENT MEANINGS FOR THE US AND NORWAY
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3. (C) When asked how he felt about the upcoming ECOSOC
meeting where he will be Norway's representative, he said to
poloff, "Well, ECOSOC, the UNGA--these are basically a waste
of time. Norway's primary interest in the UN is in the work
of the operational agencies like the WFP and others."


4. (C) Continuing, he said, "This is why we have a different
definition of 'UN reform' than the US does. We would really
like to work more with the United States on UN reform. But
you and the Japanese always phrase the debate in terms of
'cutting costs' and reducing your bills. For Norway, 'UN
reform' means not less contributions, but efficiently using
the money that goes in. That's why we emphasize streamlining
management of the operational agencies." He further commented
that association with the US on UN reform had been "toxic"
under the Bush administration. At the same time, he said
that the "good cop, bad cop" routine had its advantages.

CURIOUS ABOUT THE US DELEGATION APPROACH
--------------


5. (C) Henie said he had been stunned by a US failure to
object to a resolution adopted at a recent meeting on the
financial crisis. The resolution contained a clause
concerning regional rotation of the World Bank president, a
clause to which we had historically objected when it had been
proposed before. As the floor was opened, Henie said,
everyone expected the US to raise objections, and all other
delegations had instructions from their capitals to speak
after we did. Our delegation did not ask for the floor, and
therefore neither did anyone else, and the resolution was
adopted without debate. Henie speculated that either our
delegation had been confused, or had acted consistent with
more general instructions or an "ethos" that "the US is not
the bully any longer."


6. (C) COMMENT: Henie was being particularly frank and it is
not, for example, GON policy to declare that the UNGA and
ECOSOC are "a waste of time." However, his comments on the
importance to Norway of the UN operational agencies, as well
as an attitude oscillating between admiration for and
confusion about our delegation's performance, seemed
heartfelt. End Comment.
JOHNSON