EL SALVADOR: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DEMARCHE

UNCLAS SAN SALVADOR 002172 SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA SUBJECT: EL SALVADOR: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DEMARCHE REF: A. STATE 140192 ¶B. SAN SALVADOR 1983 ¶1. (SBU) Poloff delivered Ref A demarche to Mario Rivera, MFA Director of Multilateral Affairs on July 29. As in previous conversations, Rivera stated that El Salvador is committed to increasing the effectiveness of the UN on Human Rights issues through reform of the system, and is in favor of a more permanent Human Rights body. Rivera welcomed U.S. flexibility on the number of members, agreeing that any permanent body should be small, but stated that in internal MFA discussions there had been concern that 20 could be too limited. Rivera also stated that members should at least be willing to state a commitment to the universal protection of human rights and agreed that countries sanctioned by the UNGA for human rights concerns should not be welcome. ¶2. (SBU) Rivera stated that in recent weeks, most of the MFA's UNGA-related discussion has been focused on UNSC reform, yet they still have not arrived at a firm position on any of the emerging proposals (Ref B). Rivera said that beginning August 8th (after the week-long national holiday), the MFA would be convening meetings to discuss the other topics, including terrorism, peace-building, human rights, and management reform. Embassy will continue to seek El Salvador's support on this and other UNGA issues. Barclay