MOZAMBIQUE RESPONSE TO U.S. INITIATIVES FOR THE

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000975 SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR AF/S E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ECON PHUM KDEM MZ UNGA SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE RESPONSE TO U.S. INITIATIVES FOR THE 59TH UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY REF: STATE 152009 ¶1. (SBU) Econ/poloff delivered reftel demarche in a meeting with Farouk Faquira, Chief of the United Nations Department, Office of International Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Tuesday, July 20. Faquira appreciated the presentation of U.S. initiatives prior to the opening of the 59th UN General Assembly (UNGA) in September. At the same time, he stated that Mozambique is preparing its initiatives for the UNGA and they are simliar to those initiatives espoused by the U.S., specifically in terms of advancing economic freedom and promoting democracy. Additionally, Faquira noted that Mozambique is becoming more active in the area of trafficking in persons. The GRM is acutely aware of its vunerability to such illegal activity due to weak border patrol on land, sharing borders with six other nations, and on the 1600-km unprotected coastline. The GRM would like to embark upon an in-depth study on trafficking in persons and how Mozambique, in particular, is vunerable in this regard. On the issue of human cloning, Faquira assured econ/poloff that the GRM would not block a U.S. initiative to vote against a partial ban. He admitted that Mozambique does not have the technology or the knowledge to analyze the potential affects of cloning. Without this know-how, the GRM would rather take a stance to vote against cloning regardless of the purpose. Finally, Faquira noted that the GRM was also reviewing options to reduce the number of Middle East resolutions present in the UNGA. ¶2. (SBU) Providing thoughtful responses and acknowledging upcoming U.S. UN initiatives, Faquira indicated that the GRM will soon complete a list of their own 59th UNGA initiatives. Post will maintain contact with the MFA on this and seek to receive and transmit initiatives at the soonest opportunity. LA LIME