Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06OSLO1185
2006-09-25 15:37:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWAY ON UNHRC - AGREEMENT ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT
how-toVZCZCXRO9130 PP RUEHDBU RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHNY #1185 2681537 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 251537Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4644 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1276 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0194
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 001185
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY ON UNHRC - AGREEMENT ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT
ENGAGEMENT NOT IN THE CARDS.
REF: STATE 157283
Classified By: DCM Kevin Johnson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 001185
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY ON UNHRC - AGREEMENT ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT
ENGAGEMENT NOT IN THE CARDS.
REF: STATE 157283
Classified By: DCM Kevin Johnson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Director of the Human Rights Department in the
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tormod Endresen,
stated that Norway is in strong agreement with the US on the
areas of concern in reftel and the Government of Norway
welcomes US engagement on the Human Rights Council (HRC).
Pol/Econ counselor met with him on 25 September to share the
USG's concerns about the HRC and stress that we hope to see
more focus on Burma and Korea. In addition to discussing
condemnatory country resolutions, she raised country
mandates, Special Rapporteurs, and positive technical
assistance programs. Endresen agreed that the HRC would not
be credible if it continues to focus solely on Israel, but he
was not optimistic that there will be a change in the HRC's
focus in the short term. He fully agreed on the importance of
country mandates, Special Rapporteurs and a credible
Universal Periodic Review focused on promoting positive
technical assistance programs.
2. (C) Despite 'strongly agreeing' with the US position on
all points, Endresen made it clear that Norway will not
engage on these issues outside of Geneva or multilateral
organizations such as the Nordic Consultations. In response
to Pol/Econ counselor's encouragement to be more proactive,
Endresen said that they will not reach out to others on a
bilateral basis because demarches from Norway are unlikely to
have much influence.
3. (C) COMMENT: The GON is very focused on helping to create
a successful HRC and clearly is in sync with our thinking on
priority issues. However, they do not seem comfortable
pursuing active engagement other parties to ensure aggressive
condemnations of Burma or Korea. Instead, they seem to
accept a focus on procedures or 'small victories' in the
beginning. END COMMENT.
WHITNEY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/25/2016
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN NO
SUBJECT: NORWAY ON UNHRC - AGREEMENT ACROSS THE BOARD, BUT
ENGAGEMENT NOT IN THE CARDS.
REF: STATE 157283
Classified By: DCM Kevin Johnson, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)
1. (C) Director of the Human Rights Department in the
Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tormod Endresen,
stated that Norway is in strong agreement with the US on the
areas of concern in reftel and the Government of Norway
welcomes US engagement on the Human Rights Council (HRC).
Pol/Econ counselor met with him on 25 September to share the
USG's concerns about the HRC and stress that we hope to see
more focus on Burma and Korea. In addition to discussing
condemnatory country resolutions, she raised country
mandates, Special Rapporteurs, and positive technical
assistance programs. Endresen agreed that the HRC would not
be credible if it continues to focus solely on Israel, but he
was not optimistic that there will be a change in the HRC's
focus in the short term. He fully agreed on the importance of
country mandates, Special Rapporteurs and a credible
Universal Periodic Review focused on promoting positive
technical assistance programs.
2. (C) Despite 'strongly agreeing' with the US position on
all points, Endresen made it clear that Norway will not
engage on these issues outside of Geneva or multilateral
organizations such as the Nordic Consultations. In response
to Pol/Econ counselor's encouragement to be more proactive,
Endresen said that they will not reach out to others on a
bilateral basis because demarches from Norway are unlikely to
have much influence.
3. (C) COMMENT: The GON is very focused on helping to create
a successful HRC and clearly is in sync with our thinking on
priority issues. However, they do not seem comfortable
pursuing active engagement other parties to ensure aggressive
condemnations of Burma or Korea. Instead, they seem to
accept a focus on procedures or 'small victories' in the
beginning. END COMMENT.
WHITNEY