VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #5129 2752205
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 012201Z OCT 08
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUEHSN/AMEMBASSY SAN SALVADOR IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000

UNCLAS STATE 105129 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNGA ES
SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR HEAD OF STATE-LEVEL DEMARCHE BY 
AMBASSADOR 
 
¶1.  This is an action request for the Ambassador or 
Charge. 
 
OBJECTIVE 
--------- 
 
¶2.  To seek tangible improvements in UNGA voting by El 
Salvador as part of a targeted effort to engage 17 friendly 
countries whose UNGA voting records vary sharply from 
their close relations with the U.S.  The President and the 
Secretary have endorsed this initiative. 
 
ACTION REQUESTED 
---------------- 
 
¶3.  To align El Salvador's voting 
record more closely with that of the U.S. on key votes, 
the Ambassador or Charge is requested to meet with the 
Head of State, upon his return from UNGA, and deliver a 
demarche bringing his attention to his country's low voting 
coincidence with the U.S. (when not including consensus 
resolutions).  If the  Head of State is not 
available to receive the demarche within a reasonable time, 
the meeting should be held with the Foreign Minister. 
 
TALKING POINTS 
-------------- 
 
¶4.  Ambassador or Charge may draw on the following points: 
 
-- As allies, the United States and El Salvador cooperate and 
work closely together in many areas.  (Post may add specific 
examples at its own discretion).  We have many ties of 
friendship as well as common hopes, 
principles, and values. 
 
-- Yet in 2007 El Salvador only voted with the U.S. 
13 percent of the time, when not including consensus 
resolutions. 
 
-- The United States views the United Nations as having 
great potential for achieving progress on many issues.  If 
agreement and widespread support among Member States can 
be reached for balanced and responsible resolutions, 
decisions, and other initiatives it would make the UN more 
effective and a more credible voice in the world. 
 
-- We understand that some votes may be explained by 
solidarity with regional groups or blocs based on other 
factors, but, in our view, such solidarity often appears 
inconsistent with the national interests and policies of 
your government outside the unique culture of the United 
Nations. 
 
-- As the new session of the UN General Assembly begins, I 
hope you will bear in mind that in the U.S. both the 
President and the Congress view UN voting coincidence as a 
barometer of the closeness of a bilateral relationship. 
 
-- In the coming weeks I hope we can begin a dialogue 
between our experts and yours on how we might better 
improve cooperation on issues of importance before the UN. 
 
End Points. 
 
BACKGROUND ON THIS INITIATIVE 
----------------------------- 
 
¶5.  Key issues of importance to U.S. policy interests are 
being brought increasingly to vote in the UN.  These 
include human rights, the UN budget, Israel, and 
development assistance.  At the same time, the Group of 77 
(G-77) and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) bloc is more unified 
and votes consistently against the U.S.  The Department 
and other agencies have been working on a long-term 
strategy to counter these developments in the General 
Assembly.  A key element of the Department's strategy is 
the delivery of demarches at the most senior level in 17 
select capitals on UNGA voting records, U.S. priorities, 
and areas where we might work together more effectively. 
This is the first requested demarche, which seeks tangible 
improvements in UNGA voting by the host country.  Details 
on each UN Member State's most recent voting records are 
available on the Department's website at 
www.state.gov/p/io/rls/rpt/c25867/.htm in the annual 
report to Congress entitled "Voting Practices in the 
United Nations 2007."  The Department and other agencies 
believe that the diversity of national interests and 
ideologies outside the UN can be translated into better 
voting inside the UN through friendly but assertive 
approaches to G-77/NAM countries that have reasonably good 
relations with the U.S. 
RICE