Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TIRANA599
2009-09-03 14:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tirana
Cable title:
UNGA 64: ALBANIA'S GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
how-toVZCZCXRO8487 OO RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHNP RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHTI #0599 2461450 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 031450Z SEP 09 ZDK FM AMEMBASSY TIRANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8441 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0841
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).
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
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