ITALY SHARES U.S. VIEWS ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L ROME 001222

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2016
TAGS: KUNR OPDC PREL PHUM IT UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS
SUBJECT: ITALY SHARES U.S. VIEWS ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
VOTE

REF: A. STATE 57036

B. STATE 55461

Classified By: Political Minister Counselor David D. Pearce for reasons
1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) April 11 PolMinCouns informed Giacomo Sanfelice,
Deputy Director General for Political Multilateral Affairs,
of Reftel A letter from Secretary Rice to FM Fini and
explained the U.S. position on supporting candidate countries
in the first UN Human Rights Council (HRC) elections. Poloff
followed up April 11, delivering Reftel A letter and Reftel B
demarche, announcing the U.S. decision not to run for a seat
on the HRC this year, to Alessandro Busacca, MFA UN Reform
Coordinator.


2. (C) Although there would be no official "EU blacklist" in
voting for HRC candidates, Busacca reaffirmed the EU pledge
not/not to support countries with poor human rights records.
In an EU discussion the week of April 3, member countries
agreed not to support any countries currently under sanctions
for human rights abuses, and might consider forming EU
criteria at a later point, according to Busacca. Poloff
stressed the U.S. commitment to campaign on behalf of
candidate countries with good human rights records, and
against those who are systematic abusers. Busacca noted that
he did not see Italy voting in favor of any of the countries
listed in Reftel B points (Iran, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Burma,
Sudan, North Korea),and that either a center-right or
center-left Italian government would be supportive of the
same standards.


3. (C) Busacca noted that Italy would run for a Council seat
in 2007, with the MFA carefully following these HRC elections
and the body's work over the next year. Since Italy would be
busy preparing for its UN Security Council candidacy and
membership in the Peacebuilding Commission organizational
committee this year, Busacca said Italy had decided not to
further crowd the Western Europe and Others Group candidates
list and focus on its current commitments.
BORG