AMBASSADOR WOLFF AND INDIAN DEPUTY PERMREP PURI

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 001066 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/19/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREL PTER SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR WOLFF AND INDIAN DEPUTY PERMREP PURI DISCUSS U.S.-INDIA COOPERATION AT THE UN REF: USUN00817 Classified By: Ambassador Wolff for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: Ambassador Wolff and a team from USUN met on November 18 with Indian Mission counterparts as a follow-up from the August 26 meeting to deepen understanding and cooperation across a broad range of UN issues. Topics covered included Security Council reform, the Comprehensive Convention Against International Terrorism (CCIT),Fifth Committee scales of assessment, and the upcoming visit of PM Singh to Washington. Deputy PermRep Puri urged the U.S. to publicly support India's request for permanent membership on an expanded Security Council during the upcoming PM Singh visit and in Council reform negotiations. On CCIT, Puri was optimistic for consensus, while the U.S. reiterated our continued concerns with the recent movement towards the 2007 text which introduces additional ambiguity with respect to coverage of acts by national liberation movements. On scales of assessment, Puri agreed with the U.S. proposal of status quo, noting that the majority of members feel that now - during the world-wide financial crisis - is not the time to make changes to assessments. Security Council Reform ¶2. (C) Puri focused his initial questions on Security Council reform, looking for acknowledgment from Ambassador Wolff that India "fits the bill" for expansion of the Council's permanent seats. Ambassador Wolff reviewed the U.S. approach to Security Council expansion, reiterating that the U.S. is sympathetic to calls for reform and consideration of limited expansion; however, he cautioned that the U.S. has not taken a full position review. He also noted the lack of consensus and fragile group and regional positions on this topic. Wolff reminded Puri that of the P5 members, the U.S. is the only member who repeatedly talks publicly in support of expansion of permanent members. Puri urged that the U.S. needs to take the lead in proposing Council reform options and that his government would like to see some movement bilaterally from the U.S. on this issue. They recognize that a full-scale endorsement is not possible but are looking for something that comes as close as possible to an acknowledgment that they fit the bill for permanent membership during the upcoming November 24 visit of PM Singh to Washington. Comprehensive Convention Against International Terrorism (CCIT) ¶3. (C) Puri characterized the CCIT as currently "under a dark cloud," but was optimistic that the "cloud can pass" and consensus can be found. He reiterated the importance in concluding the CCIT as a top Indian priority at the UN. Wolff underscored that the U.S. cannot agree to anything that qualifies exceptions to terrorism and noted that we are less sanguine in our expectation of finding agreement among members. Wolff reiterated the concern that, even if consensus on a text was reached, spoilers could still bring amendments with language on foreign occupation to a vote in the General Assembly which is an unwelcome scenario. He highlighted that the recent movement in negotiations towards the 2007 text, which introduces additional ambiguity with respect to coverage of acts by national liberation movements and is not acceptable to the U.S. 5th Committee Scales of Assessment ¶4. (C) On the issue of the scales of assessment negotiations in the UNGA 5th Committee, Wolff's staff detailed the two U.S. proposals: (1) to eliminate level "C" or (2) remain at status quo. Puri's staff explained their understanding that the recent G-77 proposal to lift the cap from 22 to 25 percent was simply a negotiation tactic. They estimate that 90 percent of the membership thinks now - during the world-wide financial crisis - is not the time to change the scales of assessment. Puri expects there will not be sufficient support within the G-77 for elimination of level "C" and noted the recent G-77 statement maintaining that level C should be the highest category into which developing countries are automatically categorized. They specifically noted that the Bahamas and Bahrain were recently placed into Level B based on updated economic data. PM Singh's Visit to Washington ¶5. (C) In anticipation of PM Singh's November 24 visit to Washington, Puri provided a copy of the current version of the draft communique following the visit and offered specific amendments to the text which included adding U.S. support for "country-specific expansion to its (the Security Council) permanent membership" and U.S. support for "India becoming a permanent member of the UN Security Council." Wolff promised to send the suggested text edits to Washington but cautioned that the edits which called for an explicit endorsement are a "bridge too far in public", reminding Puri that we have not made such commitments of support to any other interested countries, including Japan. (Note: The suggested amendments to the communique were sent via email on November 18. End note.) RICE