CHR 61: FRENCH ON GUANTANAMO RESOLUTION

UNCLAS PARIS 002659 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM FR UNHRC EUN SUBJECT: CHR 61: FRENCH ON GUANTANAMO RESOLUTION REF: STATE 69823 ¶1. (U) This cable contains an action request. See para 4. ¶2. (SBU) Poloff delivered reftel points to Donatienne Hissard in the Human Rights office of the MFA's United Nations and International Organizations bureau on April 19. Hissard noted that France agreed completely with our view that the Cuban resolution was a retaliatory measure. While there were no technical problems with the resolution, she continued, the source and reasons for its introduction completely undermined its legitimacy. Hissard stated France's desire to see the EU vote against the resolution as a bloc, but said that discussions were ongoing and no consensus had yet been reached. Hissard specifically mentioned that Germany "didn't know where it was going" on the resolution. ¶3. (SBU) Hissard sought additional information about negotiations between the USG and the UN Special Rapporteurs regarding their request to visit Guantanamo, remarking that a positive response to the request would be detrimental to the success of the Cuban resolution. Hissard also asked if we were considering any procedural means to defeat the vote, underlining that, in the eyes of some within the EU, a postponement vote was akin to a no-action vote. ¶4. (SBU) Action Request: Post seeks information on USG views on the UN Special Rapporteurs' request that could be shared with the French to assist their lobbying efforts within the EU. WOLFF