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


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