VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHPF #1352 3050124
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 010124Z NOV 07
FM AMEMBASSY PHNOM PENH
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0000
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0000
UNCLAS PHNOM PENH 001352
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, IO/MPR/ISC - BRIAN HACKETT
USUN FOR BRUCE RASHKOW, JOAN PLAISTED
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AORC UNAUS UNGA CB
SUBJECT: CAMBODIA LEANING TO SUPPORT CANDIDACY OF DAVID
WALKER
REF: A. STATE 149678
B. STATE 146857
SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION ON THE
INTERNET.
(SBU) In answer to Ref A demarche, Director of Cambodian MFA
Office of International Affairs Suon Son told Pol/Ec section
chief October 30 that he had highlighted in the strongest
terms our previous delivery of demarche in support of David
Walker (Ref B) and that MFA Secretary of State Ouch Borith
was in full support of the candidate. Suon, who has
previously served as Cambodia's representative to the United
Nations (as has Ouch Borith), noted that he emphasized the
importance to the U.S. of having a member on the UN's IAAC as
the U.S. is the largest contributor and deeply involved in UN
financial reform. Suon said that Ouch Borith believed in the
political significance of Cambodia's support for the U.S.
candidate, as did Suon. He took on board our request to
instruct Cambodia's representative at the UN to vote for
Walker. However, the final decision would be taken by Foreign
Minister Hor Namhong and no final decision has yet been made,
Suon noted. (COMMENT: We believe such strong support at
this level in the MFA will translate into full support in the
November 2 vote at the UN. END COMMENT.)
MUSSOMELI