THE GAMBIA: DESMOND TUTU'S OP ED ON UN HUMAN

UNCLAS BANJUL 000020

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM KPAO XY GA
SUBJECT: THE GAMBIA: DESMOND TUTU'S OP ED ON UN HUMAN
RIGHTS COUNCIL

REF: STATE 3842


1. (SBU) Ambassador made reftel demarche January 10 to
Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Ebou Taal, providing text
of Desmond Tutu's op-ed and conveying points. Ambassador
reviewed elements of the U.S. position on the proposed UN
Human Rights Council and asked that GOTG's UN delegation be
instructed urgently to support the U.S. position in advance
of the Africa Group coordination meeting.


2. (SBU) Permanent Secretary Taal made no substantive
comment, but indicated that he recognized the urgency of the
demarche and undertook to inform the GOTG leadership
straightaway of our request.


3. (U) Also on January 10, post passed the Tutu op-ed to key
local media contacts.
STAFFORD