Iran Resolution Third Committee Vote

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000745 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL 11/17/2015 TAGS: PHUM NS UNHRC SUBJECT: Iran Resolution Third Committee Vote REF: A) State 207928 B) Paramaribo 734 C) Port of Spain 1933 D) Nassau 1936 CLASSIFEID BY AMBASSADOR MARSHA E. BARNES, REASONS 1.4 b & d ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador spoke with Permanent Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Frederick Boekstaaf, on Tuesday, November 15 regarding Iran Resolution Third Committee. She urged Suriname to oppose no action motion and to support Iran resolution. Noting Suriname's membership in OIC, she asked that if Suriname were unable to support the resolution, that it abstain. ¶2. (SBU) The Permanent Secretary declined to say what Suriname's position might be in spite of earlier (reftel B) promises to look into the matter. When the Ambassador suggested without identifying them, that some fellow CARICOM members appeared inclined to oppose no-action motions in the Third Committee, and to abstain on country-specific resolutions (reftel C & D) Ambassador Boekstaaf seemed particularly interested. Ambassador Boekstaaf agreed to phone the Ambassador on November 16 regarding Suriname's position. Efforts to reach him on November 17 are continuing. ¶3. (C) Comment: Suriname is always reluctant to stake out any independent position and as member of the OIC will feel some pressure to vote with that organization. However, the Foreign Minister in the meeting November 10 agreed with the Ambassador that the recent remarks by Iranian President had been deplorable. The best possibility for securing a Suriname no vote on a no action resolution and an abstention on the actual country resolution will come from Suriname concluding that it has cover for its actions from fellow CARICOM members' votes. The permanent representation in New York seems to operate fairly independently. BARNES NNNN