U.N. GENERAL DEBATE CONTINUES (SEPTEMBER 28, PM):

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 05 USUN NEW YORK 000925

SIPDIS

GUINEA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV ECON KPKO UNGA UN AF AM AO BB CD
EC, GM, GV, HO, IC, ID, KN, MR, MY, MZ, NI, PO, ST, TT, UZ,
YM
SUBJECT: U.N. GENERAL DEBATE CONTINUES (SEPTEMBER 28, PM):
HONDURAN PRESIDENT SPEAKS FROM BESEIGED CAPITAL, DPRK,
AFGHANISTAN AND OTHERS


1. (U) SUMMARY: The continuation of the U.N. General Debate
saw an impassioned and unscripted speech by the Honduran
Foreign Minister calling on the United Nations to restore
order and democracy in her besieged country. To highlight the
point, she called Honduran President Zelaya on her cell phone
while at the podium via speakerphone. He addressed the hall,
while still holed up in the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa,
calling for leaders to take a stand and restore order. The
Democratic People,s Republic of Korea defended its nuclear
program as merely a deterrent and blamed the United States
for raising the stakes. Security Council reform, climate
change, the financial crisis, non-proliferation, and
development issues were central themes; the following
countries spoke: Mauritania, Iceland, Barbados, Chad, St.
Lucia, Yemen, Uzbekistan, Mozambique, Armenia, and Guinea,
Ecuador, Angola, Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Afghanistan, Nigeria,
Honduras, the Democratic People,s Republic of Korea,
Portugal, and Germany. Full text of statements available on
at www.un.org/ga/64/generaldebate; video archives are at
www.un.org/webcast/2009.html. END SUMMARY.


2. (U) MAURITANIA: Minister of Foreign Affairs Mouknass
thanked the Presidents of Libya and Senegal for calling for
peace in Mauritania. She reiterated her country's commitment
to uphold stability and the rule of law and then expressed
solidarity with the Maghreb Union, the Arab League, and the
African Union. Mouknass also called for United Nations
reform, including the Security Council, adding that Africa
and the Arab world should have permanent seats. Mauritania
said that the arrest warrant for the Sudanese President, Omar
Bashir, hindered peace and was counter to international law.


3. (U) IRELAND: Minister of Foreign Affairs Power supported
the cooperation of the United States and Russia on their
post-START policies. He commended the United States Middle
East Envoy, George Mitchell, for his efforts at achieving
peace for Israel and Palestine and felt particularly
fortunate to have the benefit of Mitchell,s skills in
Ireland. Power called for Iran to protect basic human
rights, cease uranium enrichment, and "to answer
satisfactorily all questions regarding its nuclear
activities, particularity in light of the latest revelations
regarding the previously undisclosed nuclear site at Qom."



4. (U) BARBADOS: Minister of Foreign Affairs McClean called
for United Nations and Security Councilreform, adding that
Barbados would not take part in any effort to marginalize the
United Nations or join with those questioning its legitimacy.
McClean was also concerned about the decision making powers
of a limited group of countries, stating that "No exclusive
group of countries, no matter how big, powerful or rich, have
a monopoly on solutions." McClean called for the lifting of
the Cuba embargo and reintegration of Cuba into hemispheric
affairs, and hoped that U.S.-Cuba relations would be
normalized.


5. (U) CHAD: Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahamat mentioned
the trade embargo with Cuba and hoped that the new United
States Administration would lift it in the near future. He
also blamed developed countries for global warming and the
economic crisis and urged them to "step up their efforts."


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6. (U) ECUADOR: The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and
Integration Fander Falconi Benites stressed the need for
greater multilateralism, emphasizing the benefits of regional
collectives such as the Union of South American Nations
(UNASUR) as helpful to "promote democracy and welfare in a
collective and consensual manner." Benites criticized the
United States for its embargo on Cuba and the OAS for
blocking Cuba's membership. The FM offered his support for
the ousted government of President Zelaya and declared that
"The international community has categorically and
unanimously rejected this attack against democracy." With
respect to the financial crisis, the FM noted the need to
create financial architecture that more adequately addresses
the needs of the developing world, noting that the recently
agreed upon "Constitutive Agreement of the Bank of the South"
will help to "fortify human development in the South." The FM
also noted the commitment of Ecuador to preventing further
climate change, protecting refugees, and to the MINUSTAH
mission.


7. (U) ANGOLA: Minister of External Relations Assuncao Afonso
Dos Anjos stated that food security is a major priority for
Angola and that it is necessary to develop national and
integrated strategies to keep food costs in check. Anjos
reminded delegates that between 2004 and 2007, Angola had a
period of explosive growth, nearly doubling the value of its
GDP, and that the nation has seen a steep rise in its
GDP/human development ratio. He called for Security Council
reform and noted that the institutions of the United Nations
in general must "adapt to the modern world." The Angolan FM
spoke out against the continuing embargo against Cuba,
considering it a violation of the United Nations charter.
Anjos spoke in favor of greater multilateralism in addressing
climate change, eradicating poverty, and fighting disease.


8. (U) TIMOR-LESTE: Minister for Foreign Affairs Zacaria
Albano da Costa noted the importance of the United Nations
continuing mission, UNMIT, in building the security apparatus
of the country and stated that its role is "still needed for
ensuring long term peace and stability in our country." The
FM quoted President Obama,s line "to search for our own
path" in reference to Timor-Leste,s period of transition. He
noted his country,s opposition to the economic sanctions
placed on Cuba by the United States. The FM stressed the
importance of Timor-Leste,s relations with Indonesia and
explained that his country has, "based relations on
reconciliation." He expressed strong support for efforts to
combat climate change, even in spite of Timor-Leste not being
in as imminent danger as some other island nations. He
offered support for nuclear non-proliferation and for the
G20,s efforts to revamp the financial system in the wake of
the crisis.


9. (U) MALAYSIA: Foreign Minister Datuk Anifah Aman pushed
leaders to adopt strong measures in Copenhagen, asking states
to sacrifice, stating "Let me be absolutely clear on this:
there will not be a deal in Copenhagen, when some are keen to
steal the deal.'" Aman addressed the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict as an area of particular concern and said that he
"looks to the U.S. to undertake the role of an honest
broker," but added a cautionary hope that "the reality of the
action by the U.S. matches its rhetoric." The FM strongly
supported the latest non-proliferation efforts, Security

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Council enlargement, and a reform and strengthening of the
Bretton Woods Institutions. The FM reminded the audience of
Malaysia's long commitment to the United Nations and remarked
on its placement of troops in United Nations Peacekeeping
Operations since 1960.


10. (U) AFGHANISTAN: Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Rangin
Dadfar Spanta raised regional and global concerns before
dealing with the challenges within Afghanistan. Spanta noted
the 40th anniversary of the 57-member Organization of the
Islamic Conference and said that the Muslim community still
faces significant challenges, and that Islamophobia is an
issue that Western nations in particular need to address.
Spanta spoke optimistically about some of the more
encouraging signs in his country, including an expansion of
health care services, education for both girls and boys,
growth of media, and the holding of provincial and
presidential elections. Acknowledging the difficulties of the
recent elections, he warned the audience not to "assess a
young terrorist-inflicted democracy with the criteria of
stable, prosperous, and centuries-old democracies." Spanta
stated that "Afghanistan fully endorses President Obama's new
strategy for Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as the new
assessment by General McChrystal, particularly the emphasis
on a comprehensive and long-term strategy."


11. (U) NIGERIA: Minister for Foreign Affairs Ojo Maduekwe
checked poverty, food security, development goals and health
issues as critical to the work of the United Nations. He
pointed to ongoing efforts of African countries to tackle
malaria as the beginning and not the end of the struggle to
eliminate the disease. The FM gave a nod to the
non-proliferation process, noting an appreciation for the
engagement of the United States and Russia on the issue. He
then diverted the discussion to the more immediate issue of
small-arms reduction, commenting that these weapons have
killed far more than have nuclear bombs. The FM called for
Security Council reform, asking members to consider enlarging
the body. He noted Nigeria's interest and commitment to
peace-making in neighboring African countries including Niger
and Guinea Bissau.


12. (U) HONDURAS: Foreign Minister Patricia Rodas engaged the
audience with an impassioned speech in which she called for
the international community to take immediate steps to
restore the rule of President Zelaya. She revealed a cell
phone to the audience with an open line to Zelaya, holed up
inside the Brazilian embassy in Tegucigalpa. The announcement
was greeted by a standing ovation by several delegations.
President Zelaya told the audience that a dictatorship was
now in place and the rights of the Honduran people were being
suppressed. "Today Channel 36, the only media opposed to the
government (the coup) had their transmissions cut, this is a
serious crime when people are silenced. I call on the United
Nations to restore the rule of law, to provide freedom, to
provide support, to provide a firm position against
barbarity." The Foreign Minister continued by describing
offenses of the new government including sending people to
concentration camps. She feared that many people including
the President himself - despite the protection that ought to
be in place from the diplomatic position of the Brazilian
embassy - may suffer violence at the hands of the military
forces. Rodas called on the United Nations to take several

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actions, first suggesting that the General Assembly convene a
special session since it has "the means to respond in
emergency situations, to calm fears, and to take necessary
actions" (she did not/not mention the role of the Security
Council here, only the General Assembly). Second she called
for a United Nations diplomatic mission to Honduras to assess
the situation on the ground and to search for solutions.
Third, she asked that the United Nations focus on the day to
day crisis, particularly with respect to violence and Geneva
Convention issues as they pertain to the matter of the
encroachment on the Brazilian embassy where Zelaya was
camped. Rodas continued with strong words warning of the
dangers of doing nothing, calling on leaders to embrace
democracy, and finally begging the audience "to ensure never
again this sad story be perpetuated." The President of the
General Assembly thanked her for her "moving words."


13. (U) DEMOCRATIC PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF KOREA (DPRK): Pak Kil
Yon, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs said that his is "a
country in which national power is strong, everything is
thriving and the people are living happily with nothing to
envy in the world." He defended his country's nuclear
capacity as being merely for the purpose of deterrence and
said that any potential denuclearization "depends on whether
or not the United States changes its nuclear policy towards
Korea...the United States administration must discard the old
concept of confrontation and show the 'change' in practice,
as it recently stated on several occasions." Yon promised
that the DPRK will continue its nuclear force as necessary
and that "deterrence will be directly proportional to the
threat on the Korean Peninsula, as in Europe and elsewhere."
He called sanctions unfair and unequal. He went on to blast
the Security Council as "the most anachronistic organ in the
United Nations" and recommended urgent reforms to ensure that
the body was more democratic and representative. He suggested
that human rights matters must be focused more on "big
countries, the west and European countries."


14. (U) PORTUGAL: Minister for Foreign Affairs Joao Gomes
Cravinho focused on climate change and noted that "Portugal
is strongly committed to renewable energy." On Honduras,
Cravinho called for restoration of the Zelaya government, and
for proper diplomatic immunity to be respected regarding the
embassy of Brazil. The Foreign Minister also called for
Security Council reforms, noting that the institution cannot
be seen as fully representative if countries such as Brazil
and India, along with all of Africa, have no permanent seat.
The Foreign Minister also praised Guinea-Bissau and
Timor-Leste as Portuguese speaking communities showing social
and economic development.


15. (U) GERMANY: Ambassador Thomas Matussek raised concerns
over the Iranian nuclear program, noting that "the belated
admittance by Iran concerning the construction of a second
enrichment plant underlines that our concerns are more than
justified." Matussek urged Iran to comply with IAEA
requirements and to "become an anchor of stability in its
region." He advocated strongly in favor of meaningful
Security Council reform; he offered a grim hypothetical that
alternative bodies might be created to circumvent the
Council, noting that, "such a rivalry would be detrimental to
us all." He reiterated his country's commitment to climate
change, development assistance, the non-proliferation

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process, stabilization of Afghanistan, and engagement in
Africa. With respect to the Middle East peace process,
Matussek remarked that, "Germany strongly supports President
Obama's intensive commitment and regional approach."


16. (U) OTHER INTERVENTIONS: St. Lucia, Yemen, Uzbekistan,
Mozambique, Armenia, and Guinea addressed the debate's
favorite topics: climate change, the economic and financial
crisis, security and peace, the Millennium Development Goals,
and United Nations and Security Council reform. They
reiterated that the international community needs to work
together to solve these issues. Saint Lucia was appreciative
of development assistance from the United States, the United
Kingdom, Canada, and others, but also stressed the importance
of South-South cooperation as an effective development tool.
Yemen noted that the blockade on Gaza disregarded the rights
of the Palestinian people. Uzbekistan said that the largest
countries were aggravating the economic crisis by pursuing
protectionist and restrictive policies. Mozambique expressed
concern over efforts to undermine the Maputo agreement and
called for full implementation by political stakeholders.
Armenia stated that "Azerbaijan consistently misrepresents
the essence of the Nagorno Karabagh problem" and engages in
violence against the people of Nagorno-Karabagh. Guinea said
it was trying to recover from political and economic
corruption and poor governance, having narrowly avoided
social implosion upon the death of the former president.
Wolff