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