UNGA 64: ALBANIA'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

C O N F I D E N T I A L TIRANA 000599 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/SCE; IO/UNO (SUN); EUR/PGI (ELDRIDGE) E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/03/2019 TAGS: PREL UNGA PGOV AL SUBJECT: UNGA 64: ALBANIA'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES REF: SECSTATE 90254 Classified By: CHARGE d'AFFAIRES DEBORAH JONES FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d). ¶1. (C) On September 2, Poloff delivered reftel information to Saimir Repishti, Director of the UN Department at the MFA. Repishti thanked us for the information and said most of Albania's UNGA goals meshed with those of the U.S. He then provided us with a general overview of Albanian objectives for the 64th UNGA as outlined in the speech PM Sali Berisha will give, which Repishti had the lead in drafting. According to Repishti, Berisha's speech will begin by emphasizing Albanian support for and trust in the UN. However, the speech will also contain a piece on the importance of UN financial and organizational reform, with an emphasis on the need for reform of the Security Council. In particular, Berisha will discuss Albania's wish to increase UN efforts in peacekeeping and "peace-building". The Director mentioned Albania's efforts in this regard with over 100 troops in Afghanistan and 63 in Chad. ¶2. (C) Berisha will also discuss the importance of making efforts to mitigate climate change. Albania supports the idea of reaching a global agreement on climate change by the end of the December 2009 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Copenhagen. On human rights, he once again welcomed U.S. participation on the Human Rights Council and said that Albania will continue to maintain the same positions it has had in recent years. He added Albania will run for the Human Rights Council for 2014-2016. Repishti noted a particular interest in poverty and food security, and was very interested in the Secretary's Ministerial Event on food security, adding that Berisha will mention this issue in his speech. Berisha will also cover conflict in the Middle East, the financial crisis, current developments in Albania, and Kosovo,s independence. Finally, he said that the Albanian mission to the UN is working to obtain a meeting between PM Berisha and President Obama. ¶3. (C) Comment: The GOA's goals largely track closely with ours for UNGA, and Repishti seemed very receptive to our message. Berisha's speech currently does not seem to have any surprises in it, although the OSCE/ODIHR report on the June 28 parliamentary elections has not yet been released. Post has heard that it could be released on or about September 14, and depending on its contents could vary Berisha,s remarks slightly. The GOA will also be bringing a new FM to UNGA this year as LSI leader and former FM Ilir Meta was announced as the new FM on September 3. Septel will take a closer look at the new FM. Typically, the GOA ranks fairly high in voting with the U.S. and it does not appear that this year should be any different. JONES