Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06NASSAU674
2006-04-19 22:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:
UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: BAHAMAS CALLS FOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBH #0674 1092212 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 192212Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 2471 INFO RUEHBE/AMEMBASSY BELIZE 1249 RUEHWN/AMEMBASSY BRIDGETOWN 5388 RUEHGE/AMEMBASSY GEORGETOWN 3515 RUEHKG/AMEMBASSY KINGSTON 8327 RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE 3358 RUEHSP/AMEMBASSY PORT OF SPAIN 4520 RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO 2636 RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
UNCLAS NASSAU 000674
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KUNR OPDC PREL PHUM UNGA BF
SUBJECT: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: BAHAMAS CALLS FOR
CONSISTENCY IN ASSESSING CANDIDATES
REF: A. STATE 56707
B. STATE 55461
UNCLAS NASSAU 000674
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KUNR OPDC PREL PHUM UNGA BF
SUBJECT: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: BAHAMAS CALLS FOR
CONSISTENCY IN ASSESSING CANDIDATES
REF: A. STATE 56707
B. STATE 55461
1. DCM delivered the Secretary's letter outlining the U.S.
pledge to support only countries with credible human rights
records for the new UN Human Rights Council to Marilyn
Zonicle, MFA Acting Permanent Secretary, on April 19, for
delivery to Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell.
2. Zonicle emphasized The Bahamas' desire for the Human
Rights Council to be a revitalized body that will make a real
difference in the promotion and respect of human rights
around the world. She expressed her disappointment that the
Human Rights Commission had not been able to discipline the
conduct of its members to avoid unhelpful obstructionist
behavior, and underscored her hope that the Council would
achieve better results. The DCM pointed out that only by
electing members who respected human rights could this
failing be avoided in the Council.
3. Zonicle asked how the U.S. planned to determine which
countries it could support and how it would delineate which
candidates had a "genuine commitment to human rights" and
which did not. DCM pointed Zonicle to the criteria in the
Secretary's letter and the international human rights
SIPDIS
standards and commitments she cited, which collectively
present a clear picture of the most important
characteristics. Zonicle was not optimistic that a clear
line could be drawn between acceptable candidates and
non-acceptable ones, raising Egypt as an example of a country
that would not meet many of these standards but could be
elected to the Council. She believed the process would
remain subjective, and hoped to have a clearer idea of how
the U.S. would determine who to support and who to exclude,
before she would recommend that the Bahamian government make
a similar public pledge.
4. Zonicle indicated that The Bahamas has already received a
number of formal requests for support from countries she said
"will not meet your standards." (NOTE: The Cuban Ambassador
to The Bahamas has publicly requested Bahamian support for
Cuba's candidacy. END NOTE.) Zonicle was not willing to
suggest whether The Bahamas would support or reject the Cuban
bid, though she personally acknowledged that Cuba suffered
many human rights shortcomings.
ROOD
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR WHA/CAR WBENT
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KUNR OPDC PREL PHUM UNGA BF
SUBJECT: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL: BAHAMAS CALLS FOR
CONSISTENCY IN ASSESSING CANDIDATES
REF: A. STATE 56707
B. STATE 55461
1. DCM delivered the Secretary's letter outlining the U.S.
pledge to support only countries with credible human rights
records for the new UN Human Rights Council to Marilyn
Zonicle, MFA Acting Permanent Secretary, on April 19, for
delivery to Foreign Minister Fred Mitchell.
2. Zonicle emphasized The Bahamas' desire for the Human
Rights Council to be a revitalized body that will make a real
difference in the promotion and respect of human rights
around the world. She expressed her disappointment that the
Human Rights Commission had not been able to discipline the
conduct of its members to avoid unhelpful obstructionist
behavior, and underscored her hope that the Council would
achieve better results. The DCM pointed out that only by
electing members who respected human rights could this
failing be avoided in the Council.
3. Zonicle asked how the U.S. planned to determine which
countries it could support and how it would delineate which
candidates had a "genuine commitment to human rights" and
which did not. DCM pointed Zonicle to the criteria in the
Secretary's letter and the international human rights
SIPDIS
standards and commitments she cited, which collectively
present a clear picture of the most important
characteristics. Zonicle was not optimistic that a clear
line could be drawn between acceptable candidates and
non-acceptable ones, raising Egypt as an example of a country
that would not meet many of these standards but could be
elected to the Council. She believed the process would
remain subjective, and hoped to have a clearer idea of how
the U.S. would determine who to support and who to exclude,
before she would recommend that the Bahamian government make
a similar public pledge.
4. Zonicle indicated that The Bahamas has already received a
number of formal requests for support from countries she said
"will not meet your standards." (NOTE: The Cuban Ambassador
to The Bahamas has publicly requested Bahamian support for
Cuba's candidacy. END NOTE.) Zonicle was not willing to
suggest whether The Bahamas would support or reject the Cuban
bid, though she personally acknowledged that Cuba suffered
many human rights shortcomings.
ROOD