AMBASSADOR RICE MEETS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO DISCUSS

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000545 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/01/2019 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM PREF CE KN PK CF UNSC SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE MEETS SECRETARY-GENERAL TO DISCUSS PAKISTAN, SRI LANKA AND DPRK Classified By: Ambassador Susan E. Rice for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Ambassador Rice on May 28 met with UN Secretary-General Ban ki Moon to discuss a range of subjects, including the humanitarian situation in Pakistan and Sri Lanka, particularly regarding how the UN can and should deal with the destabilizing effects of large numbers of internally displaced persons. On the issue of North Korea, Ban said he appreciates the U.S.-led effort on drafting a Security Council resolution, and underscored that North Korea's provocative acts are testing the endurance of the South Korean people. Ambassador Rice briefed Ban on the Security Council trip to Africa, and they agreed that pressure needs to be maintained on DRC President Kabila to hold his military leaders accused of gender-based violence accountable for their actions. Ban said he would be in Washington June 4-5 and would like to meet with Secretary Clinton. End Summary. Pakistan -------------- ¶2. (C) Ambassador Rice on May 28 met with UN Secretary-General Ban ki Moon to discuss a range of subjects, including the worsening situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Pakistan. Ambassador Rice emphasized to Ban that the issue of IDPs represented more than just a humanitarian tragedy but one that could threaten the stability of the country. Ambassador Rice reiterated that the UN needs to appoint as soon as possible a senior humanitarian coordinator for Pakistan's IDPs. The candidate must have strong credentials. Ban agreed and said he might have to look beyond UN headquarters for the right candidate. Ban also noted that success in addressing the situation in Pakistan depended on how quickly member states and the UN can mobilize funding. He said that so far the UN's flash appeal had not proved as successful as he had hoped. Ambassador Rice responded that the lack of a strong UN coordination effort on the ground could be a factor. Sri Lanka -------------- ¶3. (C) Ban said the President of Sri Lanka estimated that 80 percent of IDPs would be resettled by the end of 2009, and that the UN would mobilize the resources to cover Sri Lanka's efforts. Ban said that during his visit to the conflict zone he saw no signs of human habitation and the refugee camps were in terrible condition. Ban quoted the Sri Lankan President as saying that he intended to confer first with India regarding re-engagement with the Tamils before doing so internally. Without offering specific recommendations, Ban opined that the UN needs to deal quickly and practically with accountability issues raised during the conflict or there will be outside pressure on the organization to do so. Ban said he had spoken at length with the Sri Lankan President about ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access to the conflict areas. UN Chef de Cabinet Nambiar added that the Sri Lankan government had agreed in principle provided the humanitarian shipments did not travel in convoys or display flags. According to Nambiar, the President admitted that the army would withdraw from the conflict areas so NGOs could take over responsibility, but he assessed the military was not necessarily in agreement with this. North Korea -------------- ¶4. (C) On North Korea, Ban said he appreciates the U.S.-led effort on drafting a strong Security Council resolution, and believed that North Korea's provocative acts are testing the endurance of the South Korean people. Ban admitted he did not know the position China or Russia would take on this issue; Nambiar judged that strong engagement from China is key to pressuring North Korea. Ban said he believed the provocative acts were related to succession issues in Pyongyang but could offer no specific information. Africa -------------- ¶5. (C) Ambassador Rice briefed Ban on the Security Council's trip to Africa earlier in the month. The two agreed that one of the most important issues was to keep pressure on DRC President Joseph Kabila to root out the worst of his military leaders, particularly those accused of facilitating or condoning acts of rape among the military staff. Along these lines, Ban said he was committed to ensuring the full implementation of UNSC resolution 1325 (Women and Peace and USUN NEW Y 00000545 002 OF 002 Security). Climate Change -------------- ¶6. (C) Ban said he hopes President Obama will address the high-level event on climate change on September 22 for heads of state and government. Ban, who will chair the meeting, said he is planning for interactive "breakout sessions" as well as a high-level dinner, which he hoped President Obama would attend as well. UN Personnel Issues -------------- ¶7. (C) Regarding the vacancy for the post of Deputy Executive Director for Programs of UNAIDS, Ban said he was "inclined" to appoint Paul Delay. RICE