VZCZCXRO1621
RR RUEHAP RUEHKN RUEHKR RUEHMJ RUEHPB
DE RUCNDT #0695/01 2142255
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 012255Z AUG 08
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4743
INFO RUEHAP/AMEMBASSY APIA 0082
RUEHBY/AMEMBASSY CANBERRA 2035
RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 0022
RUEHKR/AMEMBASSY KOROR 0120
RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO 0084
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0125
RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 0414
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 2827
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 3335

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 USUN NEW YORK 000695 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KGHG UNSC UNGA SENV AORC
SUBJECT: PACIFIC ISLANDS ELABORATE ON DRAFT GA RESOLUTION 
ON CLIMATE CHANGE, HEAR USG VIEWS 
 
REF: A. SECSTATE 82276 
     ¶B. USUN NEW YORK 681 
 
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Summary 
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¶1. (SBU) Eight Pacific states described in a July 31 meeting 
with USUN their desire for Security Council engagement on 
climate change, specifically to acknowledge its linkage to 
peace and security.  They recognize the risks involved, but 
believe the upside worth it given that traditional UN fora 
and "business as usual" has not produced adequate attention 
to their concerns.  USUN pledged to work with them to achieve 
a constructive result, but argued that options other than the 
UNSC have yet to be exhausted.  By prematurely seeking UNSC 
engagement, the Pacific states could only put at risk their 
own interests.  The Pacific representatives noted their draft 
resolution has encountered reservations, but has not yet met 
significant opposition.  They said they would report their 
finding to the Pacific leaders who meet in a summit later in 
August in Niue.  End summary. 
 
¶2. (U) Deputy PermRep Wolff and ECOSOC Ambassador McMahan 
received on July 31 a delegation of Pacific Island PermReps 
(PRs) to discuss their draft General Assembly (GA) resolution 
(reftels) calling on the Security Council (UNSC) to address 
the "peace and security implications" of climate change. 
Papua New Guinea PR Aisi chaired the Pacific Small Island 
Developing States (PSIDS) delegation in light of the 
hospitalization of Palau PR Beck, "our leader in this 
endeavor."  Also attending were the PRs of Micronesia, Fiji, 
Tuvalu, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Marshall Islands, and a 
notetaker from the Mission of Tonga. 
 
Motivations and Intent 
---------------------- 
 
¶3. (SBU) Each of the PSIDS PermReps offered their mutually 
supporting views on why their draft resolution was both 
appropriate and timely.  In summary, they pointed out that 
every other relevant UN organ and Convention body has spoken 
on climate change, including the Human Rights Council, but 
the UNSC remains noticeably absent.  While a UNSC discussion 
took place in April 2007, there was no outcome document such 
as a Presidential Statement (PRST).  The PSIDS want UNSC 
engagement not merely to 'check the box,' but because the 
UNSC is capable of taking action, such as forming a standing 
committee as it has on counter-terrorism issues. 
Acknowledging concerns of UNSC "encroachment" on GA issues, 
the PSIDS defended their draft resolution as "starting and 
ending with the General Assembly," and emphasized its brevity 
and simplicity.  The linkage between climate change and peace 
and security will inevitably become a higher-profile issue 
for the UNSC, in the PSIDS' view, and they want the UN to 
face that reality now.  The Fiji PR underscored, "This issue 
will not disappear."  They also see the UNSC as a venue 
wherein particular attention can be paid to the small island 
states, since their concerns are not given such priority 
attention within the UN Framework Convention on Climate 
Change (UNFCCC). 
 
¶4. (SBU) The PSIDS representatives repeatedly came back to 
the point of wanting demonstrable UNSC engagement on climate 
change, and, specifically, an explicit recognition by the 
UNSC of the linkage between climate change and peace and 
security. 
 
Constructive Engagement 
----------------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) DPR Wolff thanked the PSIDS for their coherent and 
compelling case, underscoring many points of convergence with 
the U.S. view and emphasizing our long-standing ties to their 
states.  Drawing on ref A points, he urged the PSIDS to 
consider how to maximize UN effectiveness in achieving their 
goals.  U.S. reading of the UNSC is that it remains divided 
and lacking in consensus on how it might address climate 
change, meaning that any discussion there at this time would 
inevitably devolve into extraneous debates and likely sap 
momentum from UNFCCC negotiations by interjecting new and 
divisive concepts.  The DPR urged the PSIDS to consider a 
 
USUN NEW Y 00000695  002 OF 002 
 
 
different strategy, first showing they have exhausted other 
avenues, such as the UNFCCC and the General Assembly, using 
the UNSC only as a last recourse.  The UNSC's P5 prefer to 
only take action when they can be constructive, and that is 
not yet the case.  Ambassador McMahan underscored our common 
concern not to lose momentum in global processes like the 
UNFCCC, and pledged to work closely with the PSIDS to find 
the best way to approach their core interests. 
 
Going for Broke 
--------------- 
 
¶6. (SBU) PR Aisi acknowledged the U.S. concerns and the fact 
that their effort to bring climate change to the UNSC is a 
gamble.  That said, the PSIDS could not accept "business as 
usual" and were therefore willing to take the risk, saying 
their effort could either further muddy the waters or 
actually provide new impetus.  In their consultations thus 
far with other delegations, the PSIDS have detected 
"hesitation" from some states, but no "opposition."  DPR 
Wolff countered sympathetically but frankly that, based on 
his knowledge of the UNSC, the PSIDS were making a losing 
bet.  He said he could imagine the PSIDS taking this step had 
the UNFCCC process failed already, but given that it has not, 
the PSIDS action could only threaten that process, which 
could not be in their best interests.  Asked if the PSIDS 
thought the upcoming 63rd General Assembly could help address 
their concerns, they replied that the incoming GA President 
shows no sign of being more active or likely to achieve 
results than the outgoing President. 
 
Further Consultations 
--------------------- 
 
¶7. (SBU) DPR Wolff pledged to reflect carefully on the PSIDS 
points and urged them to do likewise.  Given that the PSIDS 
had yet to consult with the majority of other UNSC members, 
DPR Wolff invited further consultations once that had been 
done to collaborate on how best to go forward.  PR Aisi 
expressed warm thanks for the meeting, explaining that they 
will summarize and transmit the viewpoints they have heard to 
their leaders, who will have a summit meeting later in August 
in Niue.  He expected a political decision to be made there 
on how to go forward.  PR Aisi also noted that a senior U.S. 
representative, such as A/S Hill, typically participates in a 
partners meeting on the margins of that summit. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
¶8. (SBU) This meeting successfully underscored U.S. 
engagement and cooperation with the Pacific Islands' missions 
in New York, helping to preserve our equities in future UN 
negotiations.  The PSIDS seem to have understood that their 
current tactics might not be the best way to achieve their 
desired outcome, and that the frank and informed judgment of 
the U.S. is worth seeking.  The meeting also helped reveal a 
core PSIDS goal of getting a UNSC reference to climate 
change, and the fact that such a reference could be achieved 
without recourse to a GA resolution.  The UNSC's annual 
report to the GA, for instance, is currently in the process 
of negotiation.  End comment. 
Wolff