C O N F I D E N T I A L ABUJA 001254

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NOFORN


DEPT FOR IO, DRL


E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/22/2012
TAGS: PHUM UNHRC PREL AORC CU NI
SUBJECT: 58TH UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS: CUBA

REF: A. ABUJA 1229

B. ABUJA 1218

C. ABUJA 1164


CLASSIFIED BY DCM ANDREWS. REASONS 1.5 (B) AND (D).



1. (C) Further to Ref A, PolCouns April 19 passed a copy of
the draft Cuba resolution and diplomatic Note to Principal
Secretary to President Obasanjo, Stephen Oronsaye. PolCouns

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emphasized that GRULAC states had come forward to sponsor and
support the resolution and that the resolution was mild in
tone, especially in view of the fact that the Cuban
government had intensified its intimidation of pro-democracy
activists and had committed numerous other human rights
abuses during the year. He told Oronsaye that the resolution
was the top CHR priority for the USG.



2. (C) PolCouns remarked that Nigerian endorsement of the
resolution would be deeply appreciated. At the very least,
Nigeria should factor the considerable GRULAC support and the
low-key tenor of the resolution into its decision by
abstaining. Oronsaye nodded affirmatively, stating he would
pass the message to the President.



3. (C/NF) Despite our efforts, Nigeria not only voted against
the resolution but actively solicited others to do so as
well. Nigeria has a general policy of voting against
country-specific resolutions. We understand that Nigeria's
Ambassador in Geneva began the session with instructions to
vote no, and we were told privately that these instructions
were reaffirmed by the Foreign Ministry approximately two
days before the vote. We do not know what role Presidency
officials or President Obasanjo himself might have played in
the original or subsequent instructions. Indeed, we cannot
confirm that he considered our demarche before the vote took
place.
JETER