SERBIAN SUPPORT FOR EU'S DECISION TO VOTE AGAINST

UNCLAS BELGRADE 001849 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UN UNGA PHUM KTIA SR SUBJECT: SERBIAN SUPPORT FOR EU'S DECISION TO VOTE AGAINST CUBA HUMAN RIGHTS AMENDMENT REF: A) BELGRADE 1836; B) STATE 184156 ¶1. On November 09, 2006, poloff met with a representative of the Serbian MFA to obtain additional information on Serbian (and EU) vote against ref B request on the amendment to the resolution on Cuba. Per ref A, Serbia said on 08 November 2006 that they would "constructively support" reftel request. However, Serbia supported the EU consensus voting for the resolution and against the amendment. MFA representatives said that Serbia voted with the EU, supporting its view that the amendment was not the appropriate way to deal with the human rights issue in Cuba. ¶2. Comment: Serbia has and will continue to seek convergence with the EU's position when it does it not conflict with an issue of particular sensitivity to Serbia, e.g. Kosovo. This will likely be equally determinative in its positions on the five country human rights resolutions that may still be in play in the Third Committee. End Comment POLT