COTE D'IVOIRE: DEMARCHE RE U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L ABIDJAN 001257 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2016 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA CU IV SUBJECT: COTE D'IVOIRE: DEMARCHE RE U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS CONCERNS WITH UN CUBA EMBARGO RES. REF: A. A) SECSTATE 184156 ¶B. B) SECSTATE 182099 Classified By: DepPolEconCouns EMassinga, Reasons 1.4 (b,d) ¶1. (C) On November 8, Econ Chief delivered relevant talking points from reftels to Ambassador Bernard TANOH BOUTCHOUE, Director of the Office of United Nations and Specialized Institutions Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. ¶2. (C) Speaking frankly, and drawing upon his eight years of experience in Cote d'Ivoire's permanent mission to the UN in NY, TANOH said the resolution condemning the U.S. for our long-standing embargo would likely pass. Pressed concerning the need to inject balance into the resolution via the Australian amendment or some similar vehicle and to abstain should such a balancing amendment be rejected, TANOH promised to consider the matter in light of the aid the U.S. has rendered Cote d'Ivoire diplomatically during its prolonged crisis. Hooks