AMBASSADOR RICE'S MEETING WITH NAMIBIAN PERMREP

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000488 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL UNSCS SF SO WA XA ZU SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE'S MEETING WITH NAMIBIAN PERMREP MBUENDE ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. During a May 5 meeting with Ambassador Rice, Namibian PermRep Kaire Mbuende expressed frustration with the constraints of the traditional UN voting block dynamic and suggested that the U.S. and Namibian PermReps work more directly together on key issues. Mbuende confirmed Namibia's support of the United State's Human Rights Council bid and called for constructive engagement with human rights offenders. Mbuende also underscored Namibia's commitment to the peaceful use of its uranium, discussed Namibia's recent work as co-facilitator of the UN System Wide Coherence process, and its support for gender architecture resolution. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) Mbuende noted that the, "UN is a strange place," and that the voting block mentality frequently forces countries away from their traditional bilateral allies. Commenting on Namibia's G-77 chairmanship, he said that although his country's values were, "closer to Germany," the voting block structure dictated that Namibia collaborate closely with Pakistan. Mbuende lamented this dynamic, noting his desire to bridge gaps and problem-solve with allies by meeting regularly and exchanging views at a high level. Mbuende stated that Namibia's participation in UN mandate review negotiations within a small group of 12 PermReps was particularly fruitful due to the direct, high-level discussions that were possible. Ambassador Rice lamented the bloc voting dynamic and expressed a strong desire to break new ground with Namibia and find ways of working together on common UN priorities. ¶3. (SBU) Turning to the UN System Wide Coherence (SWC) process, Mbuende said that he is grateful for the U.S. position on gender architecture. He hopes to reach consensus on a gender architecture resolution by early September, although he is frustrated with two-to-three countries that are slowing the process by using the issue as a bargaining chip. Mbuende also expressed dismay with some other (unnamed) countries that prefer to hold the gender architecture resolution until consensus is reached on all aspects of SWC. He said that interventions at the PR level could help move discussions forward when working-level experts come to an impasse. Ambassador Rice welcomed this idea, and encouraged Mbuende to reach out when her involvement would be beneficial. ¶4. (SBU) Regarding the Millennium Challenge Compact, Mbuende lamented that internal political bickering within SWAPO had delayed its implementation. He said some in the Namibian government had discouraged some Compact initiatives and acknowledged and that Washington was displeased with inflammatory comments made by some about Millennium Challenge Account funds. He stressed that these comments were not representative of the government's views and that Namibia should use the funds to encourage new technological investments in the areas of climate change and alternative energy, as well as energy self-sufficiency. Ambassador Rice suggested that Namibia could be a model to others if it achieves this goal, to which Mbuende agreed and noted Namibia's need for progress. ¶5. (SBU) Ambassador Rice asked for Namibia's support for the U.S.'s Human Rights Council candidacy. Mbuende noted that Namibia has disagreed with the HRC's working methods in the past and emphasized that the Council should guide human rights offenders towards improving their records, rather than simply condemning their actions. After stating that human rights are too serious an issue to be politicized, Mbuende said that the U.S. would be a good candidate for the HRC and confirmed Namibia's support of the U.S bid. ¶6. (SBU) Ambassador Rice raised the importance of Namibia's compliance with UNSCR 1737, stressing that the sale of uranium to Iran is prohibited. Mbeunde agreed and emphasized that Namibia is dedicated to the peaceful use of uranium, and is currently developing a national policy on its use. He explained that uranium is not traded by the Namibian government itself, but by privately owned mining companies. He noted that Iran has long been a shareholder in one of the companies and refuses to sell its stake to the Namibian government. Mbeunde opined that because the uranium mining companies are mainly British, Australian and Canadian-controlled, there is little risk of a sale to Iran. Rice