AMBASSADOR RICE MEETS WITH CANADIAN PERMREP MCNEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000183

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/19/2019
TAGS: PREL PHUM CA
SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE MEETS WITH CANADIAN PERMREP MCNEE

Classified By: Amb. Susan Rice, for reasons 1.4 b/d.


1. (C) Summary. During an introductory meeting on February
18, Canadian PermRep McNee reviewed Canada's priorities with
Ambassador Rice, including strengthening the UN mission in
Afghanistan, ensuring UN responsiveness to peacekeeping
operations' needs, and Security Council reform. He noted
that Canada's tenure on the Human Rights Council (HRC) was
"frustrating" and commented that Canada is not currently
engaged on the upcoming Durban Conference. McNee mentioned
that Canada is up for a seat on the Security Council in 2010
and noted that Canada has always had U.S. support for its
candidacy. Ambassador Rice said that Canada is a reliable
and effective partner, particularly in the HRC, and
emphasized the importance of continued cooperation. End
Summary.

AFGHANISTAN AND PEACEKEEPING


2. (C) Regarding Canadian efforts in Afghanistan, Ambassador
McNee said that it "was dangerous, but worth it." He
commented on the need for benchmarks to gauge progress and
commended the Friends of Afghanistan and their desire to
contribute to rebuilding the country. McNee said the UN was
not as responsive as it could be, adding that it should be
more forceful in Afghanistan. The UN has unique assets, he
said, which could be deployed more effectively.


3. (C) Referencing the UK and French Security Council
initiative to review peacekeeping operations, McNee
emphasized the importance of troop contributing countries'
(TCCs) perspectives in places like Afghanistan where more
information is needed by a "broader range of characters."
McNee took positive note of the Obama Administration's
emphasis on peacekeeping at the UN. He remarked that UN
peacekeeping is not currently in a crisis, but will soon
"reach its limits." He proposed that the Security Council
establish a broader group to consider peacekeeping issues,
emphasizing the need to include developing nations and troop
contributing countries in order to involve those who are on
the ground. Ambassador Rice thanked Canada for its
leadership in Afghanistan and stressed the need to close the
gap between the increasing demands placed on peacekeeping
operations and the capacity to respond.

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL


4. (C) McNee said Canada will soon end its term on the HRC
and added that its tenure was "frustrating." Actions within
the HRC were slow-moving and fraught with structural
limitations, he commented. McNee remarked that the
Europeans' abstention or bloc voting was not helpful and
often isolated Canada. He said the United States could be a
positive influence on the HRC, referencing shared national
interests. Ambassador Rice said that the U.S. appreciated
Canada's role on the HRC and was reviewing its policy
regarding participation in the Council.

UN REFORM


5. (C) McNee said Security Council reform is important but
the issue is divisive. He said he is not persuaded that
adding more permanent seats is the best way forward, as such
a move could fracture the General Assembly. On broader UN
reform, McNee said Canada supports greater spending within
the UN in order to make it a more efficient organization.
Other large contributors like Japan do not agree, he added.
McNee maintained that countries "have to invest" to improve
the quality of the UN.

DURBAN CONFERENCE


6. (C) Ambassador Rice told McNee that the U.S. was planning
to assess the situation at the upcoming Durban Conference and
gauge to what extent the U.S. can influence the discussion.
McNee told Ambassador Rice that Canada was not presently
engaged on the Conference but commended the new
Administration for making an effort to put the conference on
the right track.
Rice