US embassy cable - 05DARESSALAAM1477

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 001477 
 
SIPDIS 
 
TAGS: UN, UNSC, PREL, TZ 
SUBJECT: Defeating the G-4 Framework Resolution on UN 
Reform: Tanzanian Response 
 
REF: a) State 132429; b) State 137602; c) Dar es 
Salaam 1405 
 
Classified by:  Charge d'Affaires D. Purnell Delly. 
Reasons:  1.4 (c) and (d) 
 
1. (C) On Tuesday evening, July 26, CDA spoke to Foreign 
Minister (and likely next President) Jakaya Kikwete, urging 
Tanzania to oppose or at least abstain on any G-4 
resolution on UNSC reform for reasons stated ref B. 
Kikwete "took note" of the U.S. position, and said he would 
consult within his government and get back to us. 
 
2. (C) Charge raised the issue again on Sunday, July 31 (in 
the course of delivering an unrelated demarche), and there 
were signs that going directly to the Foreign Minister may 
have opened a crack of daylight in the Tanzanian position. 
MFA Permanent Secretary Luhanjo had earlier indicated 
politely but firmly that, at a minimum, the GOT would 
continue to solidly back permanent seats for Africa (ref 
c).  However, when CDA raised UNSC reform again with the 
Luhanjo on Sunday, the Permanent Secretary was not quite so 
sure of Tanzania's position. 
 
3. (C) Luhanjo said Foreign Minister Kikwete had called him 
on the issue, and that while Tanzania still prefers to 
operate "under the AU umbrella" and does not believe Africa 
can accomplish reform unless united behind a single 
position, Tanzania is nevertheless open to "fresh thinking" 
on the matter.  He said President Mkapa had not, in fact, 
decided on a definitive position yet, and Tanzania 
continued to hope for a UN reform proposal that engendered 
not division but rather enjoyed wide support and a chance 
of ultimate passage. 
 
4. (C) Comment:  We urge USUN to engage on Washington's 
offer to work with Tanzania and others "on a plan for 
expansion that has the broadest support and the most likely 
chance of success..." (ref b).  Foreign Minister Kikwete 
warmed perceptibly to this offer.  While we will continue 
to press the U.S. position with the talking points ref b, 
we welcome further guidance as developments unfold in New 
York.  Foreign Minister (and likely next President) Kikwete 
is now engaged, and President Mkapa has not rendered a 
final decision on Tanzania's position. We sense an opening, 
albeit modest, to push our position and must take advantage 
of it. 
 
 
Delly