VZCZCXRO8462
RR RUEHKN RUEHKR RUEHMJ RUEHPB
DE RUCNDT #1098 3390118
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 050118Z DEC 09
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7758
INFO RUEHKN/AMEMBASSY KOLONIA 0039
RUEHKR/AMEMBASSY KOROR 0130
RUEHMJ/AMEMBASSY MAJURO 0106
RUEHPB/AMEMBASSY PORT MORESBY 0157
RUEHSV/AMEMBASSY SUVA 0457
RUEHWL/AMEMBASSY WELLINGTON 0024

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001098 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KGHG UNGA XV
SUBJECT: AMB RICE MEETS PSIDS PERM REPS TO DISCUSS CLIMATE 
CHANGE 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  On November 30, Ambassador Rice met with 
the Permanent Representatives from the Pacific Small Island 
Developing States (PSIDS) at their request to discuss the 
security implications of climate change, the upcoming 
Conference of Parties meeting in Copenhagen and the Global 
Environment Facility (GEF).  PSIDS sought U.S. assistance to 
get the Security Council to revisit the issue of climate 
change and also raised issues about PSIDS access to climate 
financing.  Rice reviewed the recently announced USG 
greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.  She closed by 
thanking the delegates for their continued support for the 
Third Committee human rights resolutions and sought their 
support for the upcoming plenary votes.  End Summary. 
 
¶2. (SBU) Nauru PR Moses began by thanking Ambassador Rice for 
facilitating the meeting between PSIDS heads of state and 
Secretary Clinton in September.  She expressed both gratitude 
and expectations for U.S. leadership noting that, if the 
United States does not engage on a global issue, it does not 
move forward.  Palau PR Beck said that PSIDS would like the 
Security Council to revisit the security implications of 
climate change early next year post-Copenhagen, particularly 
after the recent Secretary-General report that extensively 
documented these issues.  He urged the United States to pave 
the way for such a discussion. 
 
¶3. (SBU).  Ambassador Rice noted that the United States did 
not need convincing of the security implications of climate 
change and that the USG is in agreement both philosophically 
and substantively with the PSIDS on this issue.  She pressed 
the Permanent Representatives to elaborate what substantive 
outcome they would seek to achieve in the Security Council. 
Beck offered as one idea a Rapporteur to gather data and 
address issues such as climate "refugees."  Rice recommended 
developing more concrete ideas, as well as undertaking 
greater due diligence to establish the Council's appetite to 
address the issue, especially with new incoming members.  She 
also noted historic resistance from China and Russia.  She 
suggested the PSIDS take the lead and brainstorm internally 
to develop ideas further.  She also noted that appointing a 
Rapporteur did not require Security Council intervention. 
 
¶4. (SBU) With regards to the Conference of Parties meeting in 
Copenhagen, Ambassador Rice took the opportunity to reinforce 
the recent White House announcement regarding President 
Obama's plans to attend the Summit, citing USG commitments to 
reduce greenhouse gas emissions (17 percent below 2005 levels 
by 2020, 30 percent by 2030, and 83 percent by 2050).  Rice 
expressed concern regarding the dynamics within the G-77 
which was producing brinksmanship and maximalist demands, and 
she strongly urged their help to introduce greater 
seriousness and rationality in G-77 negotiations. 
 
¶5. (SBU) Marshall Islands PR Muller raised the issue of 
financing and the fear among PSIDS that they would lose out 
on fast track financing, and asked for U.S. assistance in 
securing access to new financing.  Papua New Guinea PR Aisi 
raised the difficulties PSIDS are facing in getting funds 
from Global Environment Facility (GEF), stating that a bulk 
of the money is spent on consultants and reports, and also 
noted that the deadlines were problematic.  At Ambassador 
Rice's request, he agreed to provide further details and 
recommendations on how to improve the GEF process later. 
 
¶6. (SBU) The meeting closed with Ambassador Rice thanking the 
PSIDS for their support in the General Assembly, especially 
Third Committee resolutions on Burma, North Korea, and Iran, 
as well as those on the Middle East.  She noted that what the 
United States had to offer was friendship and a principled 
stance while other Member States may offer other inducements. 
 
 
¶7. (U) The following PSIDS officials were in attendance: 
Micronesia Permanent Representative (PR) Masao Nakayama, 
Marshall Islands PR Phillip Muller, Nauru PR Marlene Moses, 
Palau PR Stuart Beck, Papua New Guinea PR Robert Aisi, Samoa 
PR Feturi Elisaia, Tonga PR Sonatane Taumepeau-Tupou, Vanuatu 
PR Donald Kalpokas, and Tuvalu Charge Samuelu Laloniu. 
RICE