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 -------------- -------------- ¶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