AMBASSADOR RICE AND SYG BAN DISCUSS GADDAFI VISIT,

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000796 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/26/2019 TAGS: UN UNGA XD XA SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR RICE AND SYG BAN DISCUSS GADDAFI VISIT, AFGHANISTAN DONOR COORDINATION AND FUNDING FOR WFP Classified By: Ambassador Susan E. Rice, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary: On the margins of a meeting to discuss the Security Council program of work for September, Ambassador Rice asked SYG Ban to help ensure Gaddafi's participation in the Security Council was productive. She also told Ban that the U.S. wanted to see continued UN leadership on donor coordination in Afghanistan in the post-election phase, and that the UN should work to convene soon another donors meeting similar to the one held in the Hague. Ban appealed for the expedited delivery of support from the U.S. and other major donors to WFP operations in Somalia. He noted that the U.S. had taken the necessary procedures to resume aid but hoped the U.S. could expedite the process and increase its level of support. Rice noted recent U.S. concerns regarding the diversion of resources to Al-Shabaab and other insurgents, but agreed on the importance of the issue and to look into expediting it. End Summary. ¶2. (C) On August 26, during a meeting with SYG Ban Ki-Moon to review the Security Council program of work for the U.S. Presidency in September, Ambassador Rice raised the challenges of the upcoming visit of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to New York. In outlining U.S. expectations for the September 24 summit on nuclear nonproliferation and nuclear disarmament, including the need for all heads of state to keep their interventions to a five minute limit to ensure a productive and efficient session, Rice asked for Ban's assistance in underscoring this message to Gaddafi. The upcoming climate change meeting, the broad messages by world leaders during the UNGA General Debate, and the Security Council Summit should not be disrupted by bombastic speeches. Rather, Gaddafi should seize the opportunity to help move these issues forward. ¶3. (C) SYG Ban said he would look for opportunities to be helpful. He acknowledged that the UN's integrity and reputation were also at stake. Ban noted that he would be meeting with the new PGA, Ali Treki, and Libyan PermRep Shalgham later in the day and would make the point. He said that he would likely have an opportunity to meet with Gaddafi in person as well during his visit. Ban said he has had a cordial dialogue with the Libyan leader. THE UN NEEDS TO LEAD DONOR COORDINATION IN AFGHANISTAN -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Ambassador Rice said that Washington expected to see continued UN leadership on donor coordination in Afghanistan, including accelerating delivery of contributions already made and increasing overall support in the post-election phase. Her message was that the U.S. hoped and expected the UN to continue this role and work toward convening another donors meeting similar to the one held in the Hague. Rice underscored that the UN was uniquely positioned, with the necessary legitimacy, to coordinate donor assistance and minimize duplication. ¶5. (C) Ban said that the UN has done its best to significantly improve UNAMA and to focus more on aid effectiveness and socio-economic development in the country. He agreed that the priority was to manage effectively post-election assistance. Ban noted that UNAMA continues to expand its presence. By years end, it will increase the number of offices by three or four bringing the total to 23. He also said that the UN will need the strong support of ISAF for continued success of these operations. Ambassador Rice said she was committed to UNAMA's success and will be looking for support in the UNGA to resource it as well. Funding for WFP in Somalia -------------- ¶6. (C) Ban reported that the World Food Program was experiencing funding shortages in Somalia. The situation was deteriorating and the needs were increasing. Ban noted that the U.S. had taken the necessary procedures to resume support but it was now a matter of expediting the process, and, if possible, increasing its level of support. Ambassador Rice agreed on the urgency and importance of the humanitarian crisis in Somalia and said she would look into it. She noted that the U.S. had concerns regarding the diversion of resources to al-Shabaab and other insurgents in Somalia which presented legal issues for ongoing U.S. support. The SYG responded that WFP had recently appealed to the U.S. and other major donors for increased support. RICE