Cablegate: Argentina Unlikely to Support Us Position On

VZCZCXYZ0052
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1698 3502047
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 152047Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2694
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0270

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001698

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: AORC AMGT APER UNGA AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA UNLIKELY TO SUPPORT US POSITION ON
HARMONIZATION OF CONDITIONS OF SERVICE

REF: STATE 129988

1. (SBU) Poloff presented reftel points to the MFA's Manuel
Fernandez Salorio, the responsible officer in the Directorate
for International Organization affairs, on December 12.
Fernandez concurred with the USG concern about retention of
personnel for peacekeeping operations and special political
missions and understood our emphasis on career advancement
and training opportunities in lieu of starting salaries. He
also appreciated the importance of seeking a cost-effective
approach given the current financial climate.

2. (SBU) Fernandez said that the Argentine Fifth Committee
representative, in representing the G-77 on this issue, had
been trying to play a responsible role in working toward a
compromise between the UN Secretary General's proposal and
what he described as the "EU proposal" from March. Fernandez
understood the U.S. proposal had been questioned sharply by a
number of delegations, including those from the EU, Japan and
Russia, and that he thought there was little enthusiasm for
it, particularly after the long work that had gone into a
possible compromise between G-77 and EU positions. He
indicated that while the GOA appreciated the information on
the U.S. approach and would consider it fully, there was
little likelihood his government would offer its support.
WAYNE

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