FONMIN DISCUSSES HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL AND OAS VISIT

C O N F I D E N T I A L GEORGETOWN 000029

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

SOUTHCOM FOR POLAD

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/10/2016
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL GY UN OAS
SUBJECT: FONMIN DISCUSSES HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL AND OAS VISIT

REF: A. BARCLAY-BULLEN EMAIL 12/20/05


B. GEORGETOWN 21

Classified By: Ambassador Roland W. Bullen for reason 1.4(d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. Ambassador met with Foreign Minister
Insanally January 9 to discuss: a) efforts to strengthen the
UN human rights machinery through the Human Rights Council;
b) OAS A/SGY Ramdin's anticipated visit and the need for an
OAS long-term observer mission for the upcoming elections;
and c) the suggestion that Guyana raise issues concerning the
Morales government when it assumes the chair of the Rio Group
(septel). Insanally will speak with his Caribbean
counterparts in the UN about the Human Rights Council.
Insanally is unlikely to ask Ramdin to visit before February.
END SUMMARY.

Insanally Receptive to Human Rights Council
--------------

2. (C) Ambassador delivered Ref A talking points to Insanally
on the Human Rights Council negotiations at the UN and the
U.S. position regarding the Council's mandate and membership
criteria.

- Insanally agreed that the Human Rights Council could have
the same stature as other UN bodies and that he is "somewhat
open" regarding the Council's composition. More
specifically, he said that he is "not averse to an
appropriate reduction" in size from the current 53, but does
not want it "to go to the other extreme". Rather, the
Council should be "representative". Insanally is concerned
that a smaller Council would reduce the chances of smaller
states becoming members.

- He warned of suspicion at the UN about U.S. motives for the
Council. He advised that a transparent membership process is
necessary to "tranquilize" this sentiment. Recalcitrant
states need reassurance that those with the right
qualifications, rather than handpicked U.S. allies, will be
able to become members.

- Insanally agreed that the Council "cannot credibly accept
countries under sanctions".

- He suggested that alternating the Council's annual meetings
between New York and Geneva would increase CARICOM's
participation in the human rights body.

- In conclusion, Insanally said he "doesn't see too major of
a difference" between U.S. and Guyana positions. He has been
out of touch with New York due to recent parliamentary
duties. But he will speak with his Caribbean counterparts in
the UN to see what they are thinking, and then resume this
conversation with Ambassador.


3. (C) Comment. Insanally appeared genuinely interested in
the development of a more robust UN human rights body.
Political obligations in Guyana and poor health prevent him
from playing a more active UN role at this time. End Comment.

OAS Visit Unlikely Before February
--------------

4. (C) Ambassador raised the issue of OAS A/SGY Ramdin's
anticipated trip to Guyana and OAS' apparent position that it
cannot consider long-term observers to monitor Guyana's 2006
elections, without a specific written request from the GoG
for long-term observers. (Note: In a September 15 letter GoG
invited OAS to "participate as an observer in the 2006
General and Regional Elections", language that the
Commonwealth, EU, and CARICOM read to include long-term
observers, if a long-term element is necessary to making a
reasoned judgment on the election as a whole. End note.)
Insanally asked for clarification as to what long-term
observers entailed. After Ambassador explained, Insanally
said he would discuss the matter "with the relevant people".
However, he also said that the observer issue will be
discussed when Ramdin comes to Guyana. Insanally said he had
suggested to Ramdin that he visit in February and will follow
up with him.


5. (C) Comment. Although Insanally has a dialogue with
Ramdin, he is not a key decision-maker on the election
observer question. End comment.
BULLEN