DEMARCHE ON OPPOSING THE CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 002055 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR IO/UNP - BETTS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2016 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA UN CU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON OPPOSING THE CUBA EMBARGO RESOLUTION REF: STATE 182099 Classified By: Political Section Chief Mark Clark, reasons 1.4 (b and d ). (C) We delivered ref A demarche, urging opposition to the Cuba embargo resolution in the UN General Assembly, to Bala Chandran Tharman, Principal Assistant Secretary, Multilateral Political Division, on November 3. Bala Chandran acknowledged our point that the UN Human Rights Council would not issue a resolution condemning the Cuban government as the Human Rights Commission had done in past years and that there would be no similar condemnation of the Cuban government if the UNGA Cuba embargo resolution were not amended. He indicated, however, that Malaysia's opposition to the embargo was very well established and there was little likelihood of a change in their policy. He took on board our request that Malaysia consider supporting any proposed amendment to the Cuba embargo resolution that would acknowledge the Cuban government's abuses. LAFLEUR