(U)ALDIP ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS - UAE

UNCLAS ABU DHABI 001749 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR NEA/ARP, DRL/MLGA, IO/RHS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL KTIA AE SUBJECT: (U)ALDIP ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS - UAE RESPONSE REF: A. SECSTATE 145641 ¶B. STATE 135255 ¶1. (SBU) Econchief met with MFA International Organizations Director Yacoub Al-Hosani on October 18 to discuss USG priorities for UNGA Third Committee resolutions (ref a). Econchief also took the opportunity to follow up with Al-Hosani about the U.S. draft UN resolution condemning the use of rape as an instrument of state policy (ref b). This was the first time Al-Hosani was available for a meeting upon his return from the UNGA and the end of the Eid holiday. ¶2. (SBU) Al-Hosani took on board our request to take a stand against all no-action motions and on certain of the thematic resolutions. He told Econchief that the UAE would likely abstain on the country specific resolutions, noting that the UAE normally "did not like" to become involved in these types of human rights resolutions. He promised to study the U.S.-sponsored draft UNGA resolution condemning rape as an instrument of state policy and consult with the UAE's mission to the UN. ¶3. (SBU) Al-Hosani stated that the UAE would not support an EU resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty, and that he believed Singapore was coordinating the opposition to this resolution. On the OIC's defamation of religion resolution, Al-Hosani stated that he knew the OIC had proposed it in the Human Rights Council in March 2007. He stated, however, that he was not aware that the OIC had drafted a similar resolution for this Third Committee session. SISON