AMBASSADOR RICE'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000288 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM ECON SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH NORWEGIAN PR WETLAND ¶1. (SBU) Summary: During a March 18 introductory meeting, Norwegian PermRep Morten Wetland told Ambassador Rice Norway's key issues are Afghanistan, the Middle East, and Horn of Africa, as well as climate change, the financial crisis, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs),and peacekeeping generally. They discussed Afghanistan, Sudan, and the MDGs. Wetland offered Norway's support for the U.S. agenda at the United Nations and said the U.S. will be a respected, admired partner. End summary. AFGHANISTAN ¶2. (SBU) Ambassador Rice thanked Wetland for Norway's 600-strong troop contribution to Afghanistan. He said the number is significant given that Norway's military totals only about 5,000 troops, which means there are limited personnel available for deployment elsewhere, including to Africa. There is strong domestic political support (about 70% favorable) for Norway's involvement in Afghanistan. Norway will participate in the March 31 Afghanistan ministerial-level conference in the Hague, and will do all it can to support Special Representative to Afghanistan Kai Eide and UNAMA so they have the necessary resources to do the job. ¶3. (SBU) Wetland commented there needs to be better reporting by the UN Funds and Programs regarding their work on the ground in Afghanistan "so taxpayers know what they're getting," an idea Ambassador Rice agreed with. He cautioned that coordination would remain difficult in Afghanistan in the absence of legal authority and sufficient funds by those responsible for leading the effort. He said he would consider areas where Norway might usefully share its experience and best practices to further help in Afghanistan. SUDAN ¶4. (SBU) Responding to Ambassador Rice's concerns about the situation in Sudan, Wetland commented that Norway has useful experience there and in neighboring countries getting things done "without being noticed" and said Sudan is one of the top three recipients of Norwegian aid. MDGs ¶5. (SBU) Norway will prioritize MDGs number 4 (reducing child mortality) and number 5 (improving maternal health) because the two are interrelated and measurable. Wetland said Norway intends to focus its efforts on increasing its support to traditional standard child vaccinations such as for polio, engaging in vaccination research, and exploring new financial incentives related to vaccinations and maternal care. Rice