UN DECLARATION ON RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

UNCLAS KINSHASA 001556

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KTIA UN CG
SUBJECT: UN DECLARATION ON RIGHTS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE
DEMARCHE DELIVERED IN KINSHASA

REF: STATE 169257


1. (SBU) Embassy Kinshasa delivered non-papers and talking
points regarding proposed UNGA endorsement of a declaration
on the rights of indigenous people.


2. (SBU) Ambassador Oscar Matondo, Director for
International Organizations at the DRC Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, said he agreed with the Tripartite position on the
text and expressed concern that the document would give
pygmies in northern DRC the right to secede. He asked
whether amending the document would suffice but later said
more discussion among member states would be needed.


3. (SBU) Ambassador Matondo said he would forward
non-papers and Tripartite concerns to the DRC Representative
to the UN and instruct him to support the US position.
DOUGHERTY