DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

UNCLAS MUSCAT 000601 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR NEA/ARPI E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL PHUM KUNR MU SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: STATE 57036 (SBU) The Embassy delivered reftel letter and points from Secretary Rice to Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi on April SIPDIS 15 encouraging Oman's support of candidates with a "genuine commitment to human rights" to the United Nations Human Rights Council. The Ambassador raised the issue again in his April 16 meeting with MFA International Organizations Department Chief Ambassador Talib Miran al-Raisi. Al-Raisi said he had not yet seen the Secretary's letter, but said that Oman follows closely the USG position on UN reform and the Human Rights Council. He noted that Oman has been approached by several candidate countries for its support, but has yet to take a position to formally back any. GRAPPO