VZCZCXYZ0005
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #2276 2130042
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O R 310037Z JUL 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0000

UNCLAS STATE 082276 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: UNSC UNGA SENV KGHG AORC
SUBJECT: INSTRUCTIONS FOR PACIFIC ISLANDS-DRAFTED GA 
RESOLUTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE 
 
REF: A. USUN681 
     ¶B. SNOWDEN-WEBBER E-MAIL 7/29/08 AND PREVIOUS 
 
 ¶1. This is an Action Request (paragraphs 3 - 6) containing 
instructions for USUN (reftel) in its meetings with the 
Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) on July 31 and 
in ongoing discussions and negotiations on their proposed UN 
General Assembly (GA) Resolution to introduce climate change 
into the UN Security Council. 
 
¶2. USG has five main objectives in its engagement on the 
resolution "The threat of climate change to international 
peace and security" as proposed by the group of Pacific Small 
Island Developing States.  These objectives are: 
-- Consolidate UN General Assembly climate change discussions 
into a single action to be addressed by the Second Committee 
at the 63rd GA. 
-- Allow time for the UN Framework Convention on Climate 
Change (UNFCCC) negotiations to run their course. 
-- Avoid discussion of climate change in the UN Security 
Council. 
-- Show support for the PSIDS and express understanding of 
their climate change concerns. 
-- Minimize U.S. isolation. 
 
¶3. USG Guidance: USUN should pursue these objectives by 
pressing the PSIDS to consolidate action on their resolution 
in the Second Committee during the 63rd GA.  All GA action on 
climate change will be grouped in the same venue. 
 
¶4. USUN may wish to draw from the following points: 
 
-- We recognize the seriousness of global climate change and 
the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, 
enhancing energy security and promoting sustainable 
development. 
 
--We fully support UN efforts to address climate change, in 
particular the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, and 
are committed to reaching conclusions under the UNFCCC on an 
economically sustainable and environmentally effective global 
framework to address the challenges of climate change. 
 
-- We value our close and historic ties with Pacific Island 
Nations.  Secretary Rice's meetings with Pacific Ministers 
last week in Samoa demonstrate the importance we place on 
these relations.  Indeed, much of their conversation was 
about climate change and renewable energy. 
 
-- The Second Committee is a more appropriate venue to 
discuss this; experts from capitals typically negotiate the 
regular climate change resolution during the fall session. 
Consolidating discussion on the PSIDS climate resolution will 
take advantage of this expertise. 
 
-- As this UNGA runs its course during the summer months, 
attention is focused elsewhere.  Addressing this in the fall 
ensures more robust engagement. 
 
-- Further, the Second Committee's tradition of consensus 
ensures fruitful discussions. 
 
-- We have strong reservations on the implications of the 
content of such a resolution, specifically whether this issue 
is appropriate for the Security Council.  However, in light 
of our close ties with the PSIDS and their strong support in 
the United Nations and on peacekeeping activities, we plan to 
fully engage and work cooperatively towards a mutually 
agreeable outcome. 
 
¶5. In order to offer some flexibility USUN may, only as a 
fall-back, negotiate the proposed resolution, removing all 
references to Security Council action and specifying the time 
frame for the report from the Secretary General on the peace 
and security implications of climate change as the 64th GA. 
This would be a less preferable, but acceptable, compromise, 
allowing the PSIDS to press this issue while keeping climate 
change firmly out of the Security Council and allowing us to 
meet 3 objectives. 
 
¶6. In pursuing this flexible position, USUN may wish to draw 
from the following additional points: 
 
-- This is indeed an important issue to be addressed.  We 
support a thorough SYG report submitted for UNGA 64, to 
ensure ample time for complete analysis and reflect evolving 
UNFCCC issues. 
 
-- The Security Council already has a full agenda of matters 
that are very clearly immediate threats to international 
peace and security. 
 
-- UN bodies and international venues, with the appropriate 
mandates and expertise are already actively and seriously 
addressing all issues related to climate change.  The U.S. 
will continue our leadership role, engaging with other 
nations on these issues through our bilateral and regional 
initiatives and at appropriate multilateral meetings. 
 
-- Further, we do not want additional UN action to detract 
from on-going UNFCCC negotiations, whose outcomes will 
supersede other decisions. 
RICE