Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06RABAT642 | 2006-04-10 16:43:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Rabat |
VZCZCXYZ0005 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHRB #0642 1001643 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 101643Z APR 06 FM AMEMBASSY RABAT TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3351 INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0962 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0496 |
UNCLAS RABAT 000642 |
1. (SBU) A/Polcouns met April 10 with MFA Director of International Organizations and UN Affairs Nasser Bourita to deliver reftel message that the U.S. will not run for a seat on the new UN Human Rights Council this year. Bourita responded with a request for the U.S. to support Morocco's bid to be elected to the Council in the May 9 elections. Indeed, Bourita said, the GOM had been "reserving a seat" to support the U.S., but would now give its vote to Canada instead. Morocco - as an Arab, Muslim, African, developing country - would have much to contribute to the new Council and would appreciate "public" USG support for its candidacy. A/Polcouns told Bourita she would convey the GOM request for USG support to Washington. 2. (SBU) While he said he understood the reasons why the U.S. would not present a candidate this year, Bourita urged the USG to closely follow the Council's development. "The first three years are critical," for the Council. It would be a bad precedent if the new organization were merely the old Commission with a new name, Bourita emphasized. Strong leadership was necessary to ensure that this new Council not fall into the same traps as the old Commission. As the USG was a major proponent of the reforms and the new Council, the U.S. "needs to be present and have its vision reflected," at the beginning of the new process, said Bourita. 3. (SBU) While Bourita said that the GOM largely agreed with the USG on modalities for the new Council, he described the "nuance" of difference with U.S. policy indicating the Moroccan desire to "bring countries into the fold," instead of excluding them, to ensure that they comply with international standards for human rights. When asked for clarification, Bourita, who just returned from a visit to China with Minister Delegate Fassi Fihri, responded that the Moroccans had pledged "reciprocity" with China on being elected to the new Council. It is important that countries such as China have their place on the Council, explained Bourita, to emphasize economic and social rights in addition to such rights as freedom of expression. 4. (SBU) Bourita also noted Morocco's intent to oppose the inclusion of the Western Sahara on any Council agenda because such discussion would not have anything to do with the mandate of the new body. It is not appropriate to "bring a resolution from New York to have it adopted in Geneva," said Bourita. It is not efficient to have the same discussions in both locales and Bourita emphasized that the GOM would work to ensure that the new Council not rehash issues already being discussed in the UN Third and Fourth Committees. ****************************************** Visit Embassy Rabat's Classified Website; http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/rabat ****************************************** Riley |