EASTERN CARIBBEANS PONDERING THEIR VOTES ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BRIDGETOWN 002018 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR WHA/CAR E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2016 TAGS: PHUM PREL BO XL SUBJECT: EASTERN CARIBBEANS PONDERING THEIR VOTES ON COUNTRY-SPECIFIC RESOLUTIONS REF: A. BRIDGETOWN 2016 ¶B. STATE 187018 ¶C. STATE 184178 Classified By: DCM Mary Ellen T. Gilroy for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Per ref B instructions, talking points on Belarus' Anti-U.S. Resolutions were delivered under cover of Diplomatic Notes (Antigua #1569, Barbados #1570, Dominica #1571, St. Kitts #1572, St. Lucia #1573, St. Vincent #1574) on November 15, 2006. The original Diplomatic Notes were also mailed on that date. Ref C's related points on the UNGA Third Committee resolutions were delivered on November 8, 2006 (reported ref A). ¶2. (C) As of November 16, A/DCM and PolOff had followed up by phone with all recipient governments to reinforce U.S. views on the importance of voting against "no action" motions and retaliatory resolutions and of supporting the country-specific resolutions on Iran, Burma, DPRK, Belarus, and Uzbekistan. Their responses follow: (a) Antigua and Barbuda: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged in telcon receipt of the diplomatic notes and is currently reviewing their contents. However, following the initial telcon, Post has been unable to contact PermSec Murdoch, who is personally handling these demarches. (b) Barbados: The Government of Barbados (GOB) will continue to support its traditional "principled position" on country-specific resolutions to indicate its preference for dialogue and confidence-building measures. In order to avoid politicization of these issues, the GOB will support "no action" motions and abstain on country-specific resolutions, regardless of the country targeted in the resolution. Barbados believes that its stance expresses its commitment to human rights as well as its firm conviction of the need to pursue the abolition of human rights abuses. (c) Dominica: Foreign Minister Savarin listened attentively to A/DCM's review of demarche points, jotting down notes and asking clarifying questions. He seemed sympathetic to the arguments but was unwilling to commit to voting with the U.S. before studying the issue and contacting the Dominican PermRep. (d) St. Kitts and Nevis: The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis (GOSKN) agreed to vote against any "no action" procedural motions. Permanent Secretary Nisbett of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that she would consult with the SKN PermRep in New York. (NOTE: The MFA PermSec seemed uncertain about how St. Kitts and Nevis would vote on the country-specific resolutions but appeared uneasy with the specific nature of the resolutions. The PermSec also commented on the "stridency" of the language of the U.S. demarches. END NOTE.) (e) St. Lucia: Ministry of External Affairs PermSec Richardson assured PolOff that the Government of St. Lucia (GOSL) is concerned about human rights violations and so he saw no reason why the GOSL should not support the resolutions. He stated that he would contact the St. Lucian mission at the UN and advise them accordingly. (f) St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Because Foreign Minister Straker is out of the country, Prime Minister Gonsalves is the acting Foreign Minister. Ministry of Foreign Affairs PermSec Martin said she would keep PM Gonsalves and the SVG Ambassador to the UN posted on the content of the demarches. OURISMAN