NEW ZEALAND POSITION UNCHANGED ON CUBA'S UN

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000861 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/ANP, WHA/CCA, IO/UNP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ETRD NZ UNGA SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND POSITION UNCHANGED ON CUBA'S UN RESOLUTION AGAINST THE EMBARGO REF: STATE 215870 ¶1. Post delivered reftel demarche to Mike Shaw, Americas Division, New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT.) Shaw offered to circulate the information to relevant MFAT personnel, but stated that the GoNZ was unlikely to change its vote, or to abstain. Poloff urged Shaw to maintain a dialogue on the issue, and to seriously consider the points provided. ¶2. In a separate discussion, Roy Ferguson, Director, Americas Division (MFAT,) told PolCouns that, while New Zealand officials remain concerned over the human rights situation in Cuba, as a matter of general policy the GoNZ opposes the use of economic sanctions to exert political pressure on other countries. Ferguson's statements reinforce the GoNZ's likelihood to vote yes on the Cuba resolution. Burnett