Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09USUNNEWYORK288
2009-03-19 20:19:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
USUN New York
Cable title:
AMBASSADOR RICE'S INTRODUCTORY MEETING WITH
how-toVZCZCXYZ0255 RR RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #0288 0782019 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 192019Z MAR 09 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6135 INFO RUEHBUL/AMEMBASSY KABUL 0270 RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 1433 RUEHNY/AMEMBASSY OSLO 0891 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 3609
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
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
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