VZCZCXRO9397
OO RUEHDT RUEHPB
DE RUEHPF #0694 1381029
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 181029Z MAY 07
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8448
INFO RUCNARF/ASEAN REGIONAL FORUM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 000694
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS AND EAP/RSP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ARF KNNP PTER CB
SUBJECT: CAMBODIAN POSITION ON USG PROPOSALS FOR MAY 25 SOM
REF: STATE 64134
1. (SBU) A/DCM met on May 18 with MFA Deputy Director for
ARF matters, Nong Sakal, to discuss points outlined in
reftel. On the matters of UNSCR 1540 and the ISM for
Nonproliferation, Nong Sakal indicated that he believed the
RGC would support the USG positions. With respect to the ISM
Working Group Proposal, Sakal said that he has not yet
received clear guidance from the Minister on this issue.
Cambodia does have concerns about the added resource
implications with respect to this issue. Sakal added that
Cambodia believes that there already exists within Track II a
mechanism for addressing the issues that the USG proposes to
be undertaken by the ISM working groups. Sakal said that the
Minister is traveling, will return in time to leave with the
PM for Burma, and the ARF official worries that he will not
have an adequate opportunity to discuss the matter before he
(Sakal) must leave for Manila.
2. (SBU) Sakal asked A/DCM about the USG position on
Russia's proposal for inter-civilization dialogue. Cribbing
from the talking points in reftel, A/DCM noted that while we
understood the Russian rationale for making such a proposal,
the USG was not convinced that the ARF was the best venue for
this discussion. A/DCM added that the USG was favorably
disposed to the Canadian draft; Sakal indicated that the RGC
concurred with the USG position.
CAMPBELL