DRC: DEMARCHES ON HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DELIVERED

UNCLAS KINSHASA 000583 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL OPDC PHUM KUNR CG SUBJECT: DRC: DEMARCHES ON HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL DELIVERED REF: A. STATE 57036 ¶B. STATE 58498 ¶1. (SBU) PolOff delivered April 13 talking points and letter from Secretary Rice (reftel A) to Ambassador Oscar Matondo, director of the Office of International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Matondo said he welcomed the clarification of the USG vote against the creation of the Human Rights Council, and that he was glad to see the USG will retain its commitment to protecting human rights. Matondo said he understood the importance of not electing members who did not have strong records on human rights. He added that members of the Council should serve as examples to the rest of the world, particularly countries like the DRC that are trying to encourage the respect for such rights internally. Matondo said he would forward the Secretary's letter to the Minister of Foreign Affairs as well as the DRC's delegation at the UN. ¶2. (SBU) Concerning the composition of African nations on the Council (reftel B),Matondo said the GDRC has not yet taken a position on any potential candidacies. He said the first issue to be resolved in the Africa group is achieving a regional balance of candidates for the 13 Council seats designated for the continent. Matondo speculated the group might endorse the candidacy of the Republic of Congo, whose president currently heads the African Union. He added that countries such as Zimbabwe and Sudan should not represent Africa due to their respective human rights records. MEECE