Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09STATE105354
2009-10-09 00:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Secretary of State
Cable title:
CCIT TOPS INDIA'S UNGA PRIORITY LIST: A/S
how-toVZCZCXYZ0003 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHC #5354 2820058 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 090038Z OCT 09 FM SECSTATE WASHDC TO RUEHNE/AMEMBASSY NEW DELHI PRIORITY 7129 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 8080
UNCLAS STATE 105354
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA PREL
SUBJECT: CCIT TOPS INDIA'S UNGA PRIORITY LIST: A/S
BRIMMER'S SEPTEMBER 23 MEETING WITH INDIAN JOINT SECRETARY
FOR UN POLITICAL AFFAIRS ASITH KUMAR BHATTACHARJEE
UNCLAS STATE 105354
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA PREL
SUBJECT: CCIT TOPS INDIA'S UNGA PRIORITY LIST: A/S
BRIMMER'S SEPTEMBER 23 MEETING WITH INDIAN JOINT SECRETARY
FOR UN POLITICAL AFFAIRS ASITH KUMAR BHATTACHARJEE
1. This is an action request. Please see para 6.
2. SUMMARY. A/S Brimmer met with Indian Joint Secretary for
UN Political Affairs Asith Kumar Bhattacharjee on September
23 on the margins of the 64th UN General Assembly (UNGA).
The discussion focused on India's UN priorities for the
coming year, particularly passage of the Comprehensive
Convention on International Terrorism, as well of India's
experiences in peacekeeping. END SUMMARY.
3. At a meeting with IO Assistant Secretary Esther Brimmer,
Indian Joint Secretary for UN Political Affairs Asith Kumar
Bhattacharjee outlined India's top three UN priorities for
the coming year, in the following order of importance:
Passage of the Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism (CCIT); UN Security Council (UNSC) reform; and
development and improving the lives of people, calling for an
international governance system that is included in the
decision-making and implementation process.
4. (SBU) On the CCIT, Bhattacharjee re-iterated that India
wanted the CCIT to come to a vote, though he understood that
the United States had been hesitant. Since the Mumbai
terrorist attacks, the Indian media and people had been
asking the government about what had been done since the CCIT
was introduced in 1996, according to Bhattacharjee. India
had been willing to share information with the UNSC and the
1267 Committee, but now "we want a legal framework." He said
that this issue was even more important to them than a
permanent seat on the UNSC.
5. (SBU) Bhattacharjee said that India currently prefers the
Coordinator's 2002 operative text. Given the Organization of
the Islamic Conference's objections to the Coordinator's 2002
text, in an effort to bring CCIT negotiations to a
conclusion, the Indians have proposed adding new preambular
language lifted from the Global Counterterrorism Strategy and
the Nuclear Terrorism Convention. Bhattacharjee believed
this compromise to be a good one.
6. (SBU) Bhattacharjee mentioned also that he had heard that
the United States actually supported the 2007 compromise text
proposed by Greece, which was of some concern to him. A/S
Brimmer expressed sympathy with India's concerns about the
CCIT and said that she would check on whether or not the
United States had made any positive statements about the 2007
text. ACTION REQUEST: EMBASSY New Delhi is requested to
convey that L/LEI has since confirmed that the United States
has never accepted or spoken favorably about the 2007 text.
We agree with the Indian's preference for the 2002 text and
can support their approach to add in preambular language
drawn from previously accepted text, although we would prefer
only a reference to the Global Counterterrorism Strategy in
the preamble, and not a direct quote that would include
language regarding self-determination. END ACTION REQUEST.
7. Bhattacharjee also discussed India's long history in
peacekeeping operations. India has collected a great deal of
best practices and experiences, including civilians working
in stabilization efforts, and he was willing to share these
with us. He would like to resurrect a bilateral exchange on
this topic, suggesting that the next meeting could take place
in New Delhi, mentioned that the methodology of reimbursement
and other urgent peacekeeping issues need to be sorted out.
8. A/S Brimmer also raised the U.S.-Egypt freedom of
expression resolution in the UN Human Rights Council.
Bhattacharjee responded that as a democracy, India had no
objections and that he "hoped" that the Indian delegation in
Geneva was being supportive. Bhattacharjee saw a "new
beginning" in and chance to strengthen the U.S.-India
relationship. He said that he maintained close contact with
the Political Section at EMBASSY New Delhi, and encouraged
frequent dialogue even on areas where we have divergent
views, such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. He said
that as a member of the G-77, India "takes a certain view,"
but was willing to re-consider its views in order to be the
voice of moderation in multilateral affairs.
CLINTON
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA PREL
SUBJECT: CCIT TOPS INDIA'S UNGA PRIORITY LIST: A/S
BRIMMER'S SEPTEMBER 23 MEETING WITH INDIAN JOINT SECRETARY
FOR UN POLITICAL AFFAIRS ASITH KUMAR BHATTACHARJEE
1. This is an action request. Please see para 6.
2. SUMMARY. A/S Brimmer met with Indian Joint Secretary for
UN Political Affairs Asith Kumar Bhattacharjee on September
23 on the margins of the 64th UN General Assembly (UNGA).
The discussion focused on India's UN priorities for the
coming year, particularly passage of the Comprehensive
Convention on International Terrorism, as well of India's
experiences in peacekeeping. END SUMMARY.
3. At a meeting with IO Assistant Secretary Esther Brimmer,
Indian Joint Secretary for UN Political Affairs Asith Kumar
Bhattacharjee outlined India's top three UN priorities for
the coming year, in the following order of importance:
Passage of the Comprehensive Convention on International
Terrorism (CCIT); UN Security Council (UNSC) reform; and
development and improving the lives of people, calling for an
international governance system that is included in the
decision-making and implementation process.
4. (SBU) On the CCIT, Bhattacharjee re-iterated that India
wanted the CCIT to come to a vote, though he understood that
the United States had been hesitant. Since the Mumbai
terrorist attacks, the Indian media and people had been
asking the government about what had been done since the CCIT
was introduced in 1996, according to Bhattacharjee. India
had been willing to share information with the UNSC and the
1267 Committee, but now "we want a legal framework." He said
that this issue was even more important to them than a
permanent seat on the UNSC.
5. (SBU) Bhattacharjee said that India currently prefers the
Coordinator's 2002 operative text. Given the Organization of
the Islamic Conference's objections to the Coordinator's 2002
text, in an effort to bring CCIT negotiations to a
conclusion, the Indians have proposed adding new preambular
language lifted from the Global Counterterrorism Strategy and
the Nuclear Terrorism Convention. Bhattacharjee believed
this compromise to be a good one.
6. (SBU) Bhattacharjee mentioned also that he had heard that
the United States actually supported the 2007 compromise text
proposed by Greece, which was of some concern to him. A/S
Brimmer expressed sympathy with India's concerns about the
CCIT and said that she would check on whether or not the
United States had made any positive statements about the 2007
text. ACTION REQUEST: EMBASSY New Delhi is requested to
convey that L/LEI has since confirmed that the United States
has never accepted or spoken favorably about the 2007 text.
We agree with the Indian's preference for the 2002 text and
can support their approach to add in preambular language
drawn from previously accepted text, although we would prefer
only a reference to the Global Counterterrorism Strategy in
the preamble, and not a direct quote that would include
language regarding self-determination. END ACTION REQUEST.
7. Bhattacharjee also discussed India's long history in
peacekeeping operations. India has collected a great deal of
best practices and experiences, including civilians working
in stabilization efforts, and he was willing to share these
with us. He would like to resurrect a bilateral exchange on
this topic, suggesting that the next meeting could take place
in New Delhi, mentioned that the methodology of reimbursement
and other urgent peacekeeping issues need to be sorted out.
8. A/S Brimmer also raised the U.S.-Egypt freedom of
expression resolution in the UN Human Rights Council.
Bhattacharjee responded that as a democracy, India had no
objections and that he "hoped" that the Indian delegation in
Geneva was being supportive. Bhattacharjee saw a "new
beginning" in and chance to strengthen the U.S.-India
relationship. He said that he maintained close contact with
the Political Section at EMBASSY New Delhi, and encouraged
frequent dialogue even on areas where we have divergent
views, such as the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. He said
that as a member of the G-77, India "takes a certain view,"
but was willing to re-consider its views in order to be the
voice of moderation in multilateral affairs.
CLINTON