URUGUAY DEMARCHED ON US CONCERNS ABOUT HUMAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L MONTEVIDEO 000785 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT ALSO FOR WHA/BSC AND IO E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/15/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNHRC UY SUBJECT: URUGUAY DEMARCHED ON US CONCERNS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: STATE 136467 Classified By: Charge D'Affaires James D. Nealon for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D) ¶1. (C) On August 22, PolCouns delivered reftel demarche to the only available officer in the MFA's office of the Director General for Political Affairs Alvaro Gallardo, stressing that the US had genuine concerns that new Human Rights Council (HRC) was less than balanced on its treatment of Israel. The points were taken on board, but it was explained that virtually no diplomats, including Gallardo, were available for substantive discussions this week while the competitive exam process for promotions was taking place. In addition, she said the MFA will be closed on August 25 because of Uruguayan Independence Day. Polcouns experienced similar responses from other sections of the MFA, including Multilateral Affairs. ¶2. (C) PolCouns was referred by the America Desk to the MFA website for a copy of Uruguay's August 11 declaration at the Second Special Session of the HRC which in part reads: (Unofficial translation) "The humanitarian crisis has also affected the north of Israel, which has been attacked daily by missiles, forcing hundreds of thousands of people to abandon their homes. An inescapable condition for a solution of this conflict is to ensure Israel's right to have secure borders." ¶3. (C) Embassy expects to engage suitable senior MFA officials in more substantive exchanges on reftel subject next week once the competitive exam process has terminated. Nealon