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