DEMARCHE TO JORDAN ON UNGA 3RD COMMITTEE IRAN

UNCLAS AMMAN 007422 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL IR JO UNGA UNGA SUBJECT: DEMARCHE TO JORDAN ON UNGA 3RD COMMITTEE IRAN RESOLUTION REF: STATE 317277 PolCouns November 16 covered ref points on Canada's draft Iran human rights resolution in the UNGA Third Committee with Ali al-Ayed, Director of Foreign Minister Marwan Muasher's Private Office. PolCouns emphasized the deterioration of Iran's human rights record over the past year, including the arrest of demonstrators, journalists, and pollsters, the beating death of a Canadian journalist while in custody, and continued discrimination against minorities. He asked that Jordan support the resolution. Ayed noted that Jordan usually votes with the Arab bloc on Iran resolutions, but promised to have the resolution reviewed to see whether Jordan could support it or abstain. Visit Embassy Amman's classified web site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/amman/ or access the site through the State Department's SIPRNET home page. GNEHM