AMB RICE'S MEETING WITH INCOMING FIRST COMMITTEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000810

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/27/2019
TAGS: PARM UNGA
SUBJECT: AMB RICE'S MEETING WITH INCOMING FIRST COMMITTEE
CHAIRMAN

Classified By: Ambassador Susan E. Rice for reasons 1.4(b) and (d).


1. (C) During a brief August 27 meeting with Ambassador Rice,
Uruguayan PermRep Jose Luis Cancela, incoming Chair of the
First Committee (on disarmament),explained his strong desire
to move things forward in the First Committee rather than
repeating what has been done in previous years, and to work
closely and cooperatively with the U.S. He said he was eager
to find common ground in order to increase the number of
resolutions adopted by consensus (last year 27 were adopted
by consensus and 23 by vote) and to maintain the balance
between disarmament and non-proliferation and gain support
for initiatives that make progress in both areas. "I am at
your disposal," he emphasized, to work together in these
efforts.


2. (C) Ambassador Rice said that given the approach of the
new Administration, the U.S. hopes there will be more
latitude for consensus and more texts we can support, and
noted her appreciation for Cancela's desire to take an active
role in bridging divides and brokering consensus. Cancela
said that some of the First Committee resolutions on
disarmament, in particular the resolution on mulitateralism
and disarmament, might have possibilities for movement. He
also suggested there might be space to address some new
issues, such as nuclear doctrine.
RICE