Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK155
2009-02-18 23:58:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:
BAN KI MOON URGES POTUS PARTICIPATION IN CLIMATE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #0155 0492358 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 182358Z FEB 09 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5883 INFO RHEHAAA/WHITEHOUSE WASHDC IMMEDIATE
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000155
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR TODD STERN; NSC FOR MICHAEL FROMAN AND SAMANTHA
POWER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL SENV
SUBJECT: BAN KI MOON URGES POTUS PARTICIPATION IN CLIMATE
MINI-SUMMIT TALKS
Classified By: Ambassador Rice, For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000155
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR TODD STERN; NSC FOR MICHAEL FROMAN AND SAMANTHA
POWER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL SENV
SUBJECT: BAN KI MOON URGES POTUS PARTICIPATION IN CLIMATE
MINI-SUMMIT TALKS
Classified By: Ambassador Rice, For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) During a small dinner at the UN Secretary General's
residence the Secretary General pulled Ambassador Rice aside
to again reiterate the importance he places on President
Obama attending the proposed "mini summit" on climate change
in March. Ban said he was concerned that as yet there had
been no decision regarding the President's attendance and
that he needed an answer quickly.
2. (C) Comment: At every opportunity, the Secretary General
has pressed Ambassador Rice about his invitation for
President Obama to attend the climate change "mini summit."
His most recent plea sounded almost desperate and clearly
demonstrated that he believes his own credibility is at
stake. To ensure the President's attendance, Ban said he was
flexible on the timing of the summit, whether at the end of
March or even after the G-20 meeting in London in April,
though far less desirable. Given Ban's personal investment
in climate change, Ambassador Rice sensed a subtle suggestion
for the first time that Ban's ability and willingness to
support USG requests for high-level UN positions could be
diminished by U.S. non-attendance. Ambassador Rice thinks we
need to take this into account, but she believes the USG
should make a decision on the "mini-summit" based on the
merits of the event. However, it is important that we
provide an answer soonest. End comment.
Rice
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR TODD STERN; NSC FOR MICHAEL FROMAN AND SAMANTHA
POWER
E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/18/2019
TAGS: PREL SENV
SUBJECT: BAN KI MOON URGES POTUS PARTICIPATION IN CLIMATE
MINI-SUMMIT TALKS
Classified By: Ambassador Rice, For Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) During a small dinner at the UN Secretary General's
residence the Secretary General pulled Ambassador Rice aside
to again reiterate the importance he places on President
Obama attending the proposed "mini summit" on climate change
in March. Ban said he was concerned that as yet there had
been no decision regarding the President's attendance and
that he needed an answer quickly.
2. (C) Comment: At every opportunity, the Secretary General
has pressed Ambassador Rice about his invitation for
President Obama to attend the climate change "mini summit."
His most recent plea sounded almost desperate and clearly
demonstrated that he believes his own credibility is at
stake. To ensure the President's attendance, Ban said he was
flexible on the timing of the summit, whether at the end of
March or even after the G-20 meeting in London in April,
though far less desirable. Given Ban's personal investment
in climate change, Ambassador Rice sensed a subtle suggestion
for the first time that Ban's ability and willingness to
support USG requests for high-level UN positions could be
diminished by U.S. non-attendance. Ambassador Rice thinks we
need to take this into account, but she believes the USG
should make a decision on the "mini-summit" based on the
merits of the event. However, it is important that we
provide an answer soonest. End comment.
Rice