CLARIFYING THE UFC POSITION ON UNSC REFORM: A/S

UNCLAS STATE 103663

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA PREL
SUBJECT: CLARIFYING THE UFC POSITION ON UNSC REFORM: A/S
BRIMMER'S SEPTEMBER 23 MEETING WITH ITALIAN UNDER
SECRETARY FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS VINCENZO SCOTTI


1. SUMMARY. A/S Brimmer met with Italian Under Secretary for
Foreign Affairs Vincenzo Scotti on September 23 on the
margins of the 64th UN General Assembly (UNGA). The
discussion focused entirely on Italy's positions on UN
Security Council (UNSC) expansion. END SUMMARY.


2. At a meeting with IO Assistant Secretary Esther Brimmer,
Italian Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs Vincenzo Scotti
expressed his appreciation for U.S. support for a smooth
transition of intergovernmental negotiations on UNSC reform
from the 63rd to the 64th sessions of the UNGA. However, now
that "the problem is back on the table," he said there was an
urgent need to move quickly.


3. U/S Scotti re-iterated Italy's objections to increasing
the number of permanent members. He said the world's
problems are more complex than they were in 1946, and solving
them requires more flexibility and more comprehensive
representation from the world's nations. This could be done,
he said, only through a greater number of non-permanent seats
that would give greater voice to other "important states" in
the East (he included Turkey),Africa, South America, and
among Arab nations. He also re-iterated Italy's calls for a
regional seat for Europe that would represent the entire
continent.


4. U/S Scotti emphasized that Italy in no way opposed UNSC
reforms. They were not trying to find tactics to avoid or
delay change. U/S Scotti re-iterated Italy's strong support
for reform but said that adding new permanent seats would not
necessarily represent a fundamental change to the Council's
structure. He noted that new actors would always come on the
scene, but the UNSC could not keep adding new permanent seats
indefinitely as a way of addressing new realities. He
asserted that the "mentality" must change. Just as climate
change required a new paradigm, so UNSC and "G-ography" also
need to change in order to enhance flexibility.


5. U/S Scotti strongly emphasized that, in pursuit of
practical solutions and not ideological change, Italy is open
to discussions on all ideas regarding UNSC expansion. They
are planning to convene another meeting in Rome in 2010,
which he emphasized would not be limited only to Uniting For
Consensus (UFC) members. The United States will be invited
to the meeting, at which U/S Scotti hopes to engage in
"discussion, but not necessarily proposing or making
decisions." (Note: Italy held a similar meeting in Rome on
February 5, 2009, in advance of the launch of
intergovernmental negotiations, ostensibly to shore up the
UFC position and try to win African countries to it. End
Note.)


6. U/S Scotti said that he eagerly awaited the results of the
U.S. policy review. He said that it was important for the
United States to speak on this issue, noting that in 2008 the
U.S. position was not clearly articulated. He called on the
Obama Administration to "face the issue as part of its new
multilateral engagement."


7. U/S Scotti mentioned that Italy has made significant
contributions to the UN system, including peacekeeping
operations, and stated that their contributions are not taken
into consideration during these discussions. A/S Brimmer
acknowledged Italy's positive role in the UN, and expressed
appreciation for Italy's positions on UNSC reform and for
keeping the strengthening of the UN as its first
consideration. She noted other efforts to strengthen and
consolidate the UN, such as current work on a new gender
entity, and expressed interest in continuing discussions on
UNSC reform throughout the 64th session.
CLINTON