Cablegate: Un Escap: Request for Testimony On Asian

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS BANGKOK 006960

SIPDIS

FOR IO/EDA SSTOFEL, EAP/MLS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIN AORC EAID TH
SUBJECT: UN ESCAP: REQUEST FOR TESTIMONY ON ASIAN
INVESTMENT BANK PROPOSAL

REF: FORSBERG/JONES E-MAIL 11/1/05 AND
STOFEL/FORSBERG E-MAIL 11/2/05

1. (U) This message is an action request. Please see
paragraph 4.

2. (U) UN ESCAP has requested nominations of experts to
participate in the Expert Group Meeting on Development Issues
and Policies: Infrastructure Development, to be held in
Bangkok, Thailand, December 14-15, 2005. The purpose of this
meeting is to gather testimony in support of the Executive
Secretary's proposal for an Asian Investment Bank, which the

SIPDIS
Executive Secretary will then present to the 62nd Session in
Jakarta, Indonesia, April 6-12, 2005. The four areas the
Expert Group will discuss are as follows: transport, water,
information and communication technology, and water.

3. (U) The Embassy understands that the US Government
position is to oppose creation of any new bureaucracy such as
the proposed Asian Investment Bank. Further, it is our
understanding that the governments of Japan and Australia
share this view and will be participating in the Expert Group
Meeting.

4. (U) Since the Expert Group Meeting provides an
opportunity for the US Government to go on record without
drawing undue attention to the Asian Investment Bank
proposal, the Embassy requests text to be attributed to the
U.S. Department of the Treasury on the financial aspects of
development issues for delivery by the Permanent
Representative at the meeting.

5. (U) Point of contact for this matter at Embassy Bangkok
is Aaron Forsberg (telephone: 66-2-205-4698; e-mail:
ForsbergAP@state.gov).
BOYCE

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