REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH HUMAN RIGHTS AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L STATE 203832 SIPDIS SIPDIS PLEASE PASS TO IRPO DUBAI AND AMEMBASSY ASTANA E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/28/2016 TAGS: PHUM PREL KDEM AW AF AJ AMB FR GG GM IR IT KZ TI TU, UK, UZ SUBJECT: REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE WITH HUMAN RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY PROMOTION ACTIVITIES IN IRAN Classified By: Classified by: DRL A/S Barry F. Lowenkron, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. This is an action request. Please see para 5. SUMMARY -------------- ¶2. (C) This cable informs addressee posts that grantees from the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) and the Bureau of Near East Asian Affairs (NEA) may be operating in their countries, alone or in cooperation with local NGOs, and requests posts, support in assisting those grantees with their crucial work on Iran, if approached. Posts may contact NEA or DRL (para 5) for region-specific information or to confirm the names of organizations working on these programs. END SUMMARY. BACKGROUND -------------- ¶3. (C) Consistent with her objectives for Transformational Diplomacy, the Secretary has approved an outreach plan to the Iranian people as one of the Department,s highest foreign policy priorities. DRL obligated $3 million in FY05 and has committed and will soon obligate $4.15 million in FY06. NEA, via the Middle East Peace Initiative (MEPI),will obligate $27 million in FY06 in support of grantee projects that will: (1) foster democratic forces and promote civil society, (2) promote respect for human rights, and (3) provide the Iranian people with access to unbiased information. ¶4. (C) Given the regime,s continuing opposition to democracy promotion in Iran, many grantees must operate from third countries. Because of the sensitive nature of our Iran grantees, work, the Department protects their names; however, NEA and DRL can confirm the names of specific groups to posts, should questions arise about their bona fides (see para 6). ACTION REQUEST: ASSISTANCE TO IRAN GRANTEES -------------- ¶5. (C) Action: If the Department,s Iran grantees approach U.S. missions abroad to inform them of their activities or of the activities of locally based sub-grantees, the Department asks that posts contact the Office of Iranian Affairs (NEA/IR) (POC Rob McInturff: McinturffRA@state.sgov.gov, tel. 202-647-2520, blackberry 202-701-3980) or the Department of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL/NESCA) (POC: Suzanne Yountchi: Yountchism@state.sgov.gov, tel. 202-647-1423) to confirm the status of the grants and request further instructions. The Department encourages posts to assist Iran grantees with limited administrative requests, such as submitting reports to Washington or confirming the status of DRL or NEA funds, but asks that posts contact Washington for additional guidance before assisting with any non-routine tasks. ¶6. (C) Posts who would like more region-specific information about Department-sponsored Iran programs should contact the Office of Iranian Affairs (NEA/IR) for more information. The Department thanks posts in advance for their cooperation with this critical initiative. RICE