US embassy cable - 05KINGSTON2054

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 002054 
 
SIPDIS 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/UNP, WHA/CAR 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 8/31/15 
TAGS: KUNR, PREL, PGOV, JM 
SUBJECT: UN REFORM/JAMAICA:  PRESSING DIFFICULT COUNTRIES 
TO WORK WITH US ON OUR PRIORITIES 
 
REF: A. STATE 149376 
 
     B. TIGHE/SURAMPUTI 8/25 TELCON 
 
Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Thomas C. Tighe.  Reasons 1.4(b) and ( 
d). 
 
1. (C) On August 25, Charge, accompanied by Pol/Econ Chief, 
conveyed Ref A points to Ambassador Douglas Saunders, 
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign 
Trade (MFAFT).  Shortly before Charge was to depart for the 
MFAFT with Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Sakurai to convey the 
demarche jointly, Sakurai dropped out, citing conflicting 
instructions between what he received from Tokyo and what he 
had received, informally, directly from the Japanese Embassy 
in Washington (Ref B).  Charge also approached the recently 
arrived UK High Commissioner, who advised him that EU 
embassies would approach the GOJ separately. 
 
2. (C) In the meeting with Saunders, Charge noted Jamaica's 
twin roles as UN member state and current Chair of the G-77, 
adding that the USG is concerned that the Jamaican delegation 
often seems to champion the causes of G-77 with 
less-than-stellar human rights records, in UN reform 
discussions.  He also emphasized the special importance the 
U.S. places on reforming the Human Rights Commission into a 
more streamlined, less politicized Human Rights Council, and 
on resolving UN management reform issues.  Saunders listened 
intently before responding.  He said that the Jamaican 
delegation must place its G-77 Chair responsibilities ahead 
of Jamaica's narrow national interests; accordingly, it is 
often difficult for the Jamaican delegation "to speak for 
Jamaica."  In that vein, he continued, the GOJ is seeking an 
opportunity for Prime Minister P.J. Patterson to speak in his 
capacity as a head of government in addition to his G-77 
speaking role.  Saunders conceded that the Human Rights 
Commission had become too politicized, but opined that "all 
parties" bore responsibility for allow that to happen. 
 
3. (C) On the issue of UNSC reform, Saunders expressed 
concern that agreement on new members would far outpace 
necessary reforms in other areas, thereby reducing the 
impetus to follow through on reform in UN social and 
developmental areas important to the GOJ.  He observed that 
it would have made sense to establish clearer criteria "about 
what Security Council membership should entail" (inter alia, 
geographical and other considerations; record of stability of 
an aspirant's political system, etc.) before considering 
specific country bids for new UNSC membership.  He said that 
Brazil presented a compelling case for permanent status, 
unlike Japan ("Their bid seems very unpopular in Asia") and 
Germany ("Why should Western Europe have another seat?") 
 
4. (SBU) At the conclusion of the meeting, Saunders thanked 
Charge for USG willingness to engage with the GOJ on UN 
reform issues, and asked that it continue. 
 
5. (SBU) Comment:  As Permanent Secretary, Saunders is the 
GOJ's senior career diplomat.  Having previously served at 
Jamaica's UN Mission, he is familiar with the workings of the 
organization and a knowledgeable interlocutor on UN issues. 
End Comment. 
TIGHE