RESPONDING TO CUBA AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

UNCLAS MANILA 004096 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR IO/UNP, IO/SHA, AND EAP/MTS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM RP SUBJECT: RESPONDING TO CUBA AT THE UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: STATE 160278 ¶1. (U) Drawing on reftel points, Acting Political Counselor urged Department of Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for UN and International Organization Affairs Aladin Villacorte to instruct the Philippine delegation in Geneva not to allow the Cuban mandate to be discussed outside the general review process and to speak out in support of non-governmental organization (NGO) participation in country-specific discussions at the Council. ¶2. (U) Villacorte said he would pass our points to the Philippine delegation in Geneva, noting that the Philippines was a long-standing supporter of human rights and had an active NGO community. Visit Embassy Manila's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/manila/index. cfm KENNEY