CZECHS SEEK INFORMATION ON U.S. PLANS FOR UN HUMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 001704 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2015 TAGS: UN PHUM EZ SUBJECT: CZECHS SEEK INFORMATION ON U.S. PLANS FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS RESOLUTIONS IN 2006 REF: PRAGUE 1560 Classified By: Pol/Econ Chief Michael Dodman for reasons 1.4 b+d. ¶1. (U) Action request in paragraph 4. ¶2. (C) Polec Chief and Poloff met December 7 with Veronika Stromsikova, Czech MFA's Director of Human Rights Department, and her deputy, Jan Kaminek. Stromsikova said the Czechs are planning their strategy for UN human rights resolutions in 2006, and would like to coordinate with U.S. efforts. Accordingly, Stromsikova requested information regarding U.S. proposed human rights resolutions as early in the process as possible, preferably in January 2006. ¶3. (C) Note that with the aim of shifting (however slightly) EU common policy on Cuba, Kaminek previously asked the U.S. to consider sponsoring the next human rights resolution on Cuba at the UN, and also to consider inviting the EU to be a co-sponsor of that resolution (see reftel). ¶4. (C) Comment. The Czechs actively promote human rights and democracy in countries around the world, including Cuba, Belarus, Iraq and other countries of concern to the U.S. government. Although they are not presently a UNCHR member, they traditionally have been active in building support for CHR resolutions, in consultation with USG. Post requests information on planned 2006 human rights resolutions that we can share with the Czechs in January 2006 or as soon as available, as well as any appropriate points on how USG would like to coordinate with the Czechs in advancing CHR resolutions next year. CABANISS