OMANI FM CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR IRAN'S CANDIDACY TO

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 MUSCAT 000733

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ARPI, IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2016
TAGS: UNGA OPDC PREL PHUM UNHRC KUNR IR MU
SUBJECT: OMANI FM CONFIRMS SUPPORT FOR IRAN'S CANDIDACY TO
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

REF: MUSCAT 701

Classified By: Ambassador Gary A. Grappo. Reason: 1.4 (b, d).

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SUMMARY
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1. (C) FM Bin Alawi reiterated to the Ambassador on May 9
that Oman feels obligated to support Iran's candidacy to the
UN Human Rights Council as part of an OIC agreement on a
slate of 13 states. The Ambassador urged Oman to reconsider
and warned of USG disfavor over its decision. End summary.

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Supporting Iran As Part of Block Vote
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2. (C) In a May 9 call on Minister Responsible for Foreign
Affairs Yusuf bin Alawi, the Ambassador sought clarification
of MFA Under Secretary Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi's recent
comment that Oman would "probably" support Iran's candidacy
to the UN Human Rights Council (reftel). Bin Alawi explained
that Iran is seeking a seat as part of an OIC-supported bloc
of Asia candidates, and that Oman would reluctantly support
Iran only as part of that collective ticket. "We are unhappy
with the Iranians, but cannot say anything. It is a group
endorsement." Bin Alawi added that Oman would not be able to
hide its opposition to Iran's candidacy in a vote against the
bloc as a whole, stating that "our opposition would be
known."

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OIC, GCC Allegedly Also On Board
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3. (C) Asked whether the OIC was firmly behind the bloc
candidacy, Bin Alawi confirmed that it was. He stated that
"we are stuck here," as the composition of the bloc candidacy
had already been determined with Iran as just one of thirteen
countries whose candidacies were at stake. Asked
specifically whether the other five GCC states would vote for
Iran, Bin Alawi affirmed that they would. Yet he did not
rule out the possibility of a "surprise," as a result of
differences between voting in the UN General Assembly and in
blocs. He allowed that some states might verbally support
the bloc but then vote against it. The FM noted that in the
event one or more of the candidates on the OIC-endorsed slate
were not approved in the initial round of voting, some
governments that may have committed to vote in favor of the
group might consider themselves relieved of that obligation.
The Ambassador underscored that the specter of OIC support
for a patently unqualified candidate is very disturbing to
Washington.

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Questioning Purpose of Human Rights Council
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4. (C) Bin Alawi said that Oman was uncomfortable with the
whole issue of the Human Rights Council, as it creates a
burden on the UN to generate more reports, imposes financial
burdens, and creates "controversial" issues, such as the
United States' decision not to seek membership.


5. (C) In considering Oman's vote, Bin Alawi argued that
political considerations could not be divorced from human
rights issues. He noted that many countries oppose the laws
of others on human rights grounds, noting European opposition
to Sharia law. He further noted the case of the Iraqi
government allowing Shia citizens to flagellate themselves
during religious holidays, saying that some observers would
consider that an issue of human rights. The Ambassador
replied that those examples were far-fetched, whereas Iran's
execution of minors, restriction on press and other freedoms,
persecution of religious minorities, and use of torture were
apparent to all. Bin Alawi agreed that such practices should
not happen, but again described them as "political" concerns.
He said that they should be considered isolated matters, and
that only systematic violations of human rights such as
Rwanda and Burundi should be dealt with by the UN. The
Ambassador disputed the fact that political concerns could be
so easily distinguished from human rights violations, and
questioned how member states could be effective contributors
to the Council without supporting and enforcing international
principles on human rights.


6. (C) The Ambassador concluded the meeting by reiterating
USG concern about Oman's voting stance, and warned Bin Alawi

MUSCAT 00000733 002 OF 002


that Oman's position would not serve the purpose of the newly
formed HRC or the cause of human rights around the world.


7. (C) In a May 7 lunch, the British Ambassador confided that
Oman pledged its support for London's candidate, but said he
was not aware that Iran was also running and doubted that any
concern on that point was raised during Bin Alawi's recent
visit to the UK.
GRAPPO