ACTION TAKEN: DEMARCHE ON THIRD COMMITTEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002861 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2014 TAGS: PHUM PREL DEMARCHE HUMAN RIGHTS SUBJECT: ACTION TAKEN: DEMARCHE ON THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS DELIVERED REF: SECSTATE 236869 ¶1. (U) On November 9 Pol/Econoff delivered reftel demarche to MFA diplomatic attach Selwa al-Rifai. Rifai said that due to the Eid holidays no one was available to give an indication as to how ROYG would vote on the resolutions. ¶2. (C) Rifai stated that while Yemen supports Human Rights resolutions, it is reluctant to interfere in the internal affairs of other nations. This comment echoed statements made by the ROYG delegation to the Third Committee in 2001 where it noted that politicizing human rights issues and interfering with the internal affairs of nations was against its principals. Rifai added that ROYG would likely have a different approach in dealing with Muslim nations although she was not specific as to how. ¶3. (U) The ROYG has been "absent" in the Third Committee when votes concerning the human rights situation in Turkemnistan, Iran and Sudan were before the committee. There are no indications that ROYG stance has changed. Post predicts that the ROYG will likely abstain or be absent from votes on resolutions involving Iran, Sudan and Turkmenistan. ROYG will also likely abstain from a vote on Belarus and Zimbabwae. ¶4. (U) Rifai noted that all points will be forwarded to the ROYG UN Mission Head in New York for review and action. Post will keep Department informed of any new developments. KRAJESKI