GOA SUPPORTS PRESERVING ALL MANDATES AND BROAD

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001151 SIPDIS SIPDIS IO FOR RACHEL LEATHAM E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC UNAUS AR SUBJECT: GOA SUPPORTS PRESERVING ALL MANDATES AND BROAD PERMANENT AGENDA AT UNHRC "IN PRINCIPLE" REF: SECSTATE 80095 Classified By: CDA Michael M. Matera for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) On June 11, Poloff delivered reftel points to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director of Human Rights Gabriela Quinteros and Third Secretary Alexis Am. Quinteros stated that the GOA, in principle, supports the continuation of all country-specific and thematic mandates at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC),particularly, the country-specific mandates of the DPRK, Belarus, Myanmar, and Cuba. Am noted that Argentina has informally expressed its preference to maintain all mandates, but that Argentina still has not passed instructions to its mission in Geneva. Quinteros noted that the GOA would have to see how the HRC session evolves, stressing that Argentina prefers to work by consensus, particularly with GRULAC. She stated that she would pass our requests to her superiors for consideration, and noted that the Japanese Embassy made a similar demarche regarding the importance of keeping all mandates the week of June 4. ¶2. (C) Regarding the permanent agenda, Quinteros maintained that Argentina seeks a balanced approach to Israel at the UNHRC and acknowledged that the Council seems to have "an automatic majority" when it comes to Israel-Palestine issues. She stated that, in principle, the GOA agrees that there should be a broad permanent agenda that allows for all human rights situations to be addressed. She commented that "Israel's human rights situation is not the only one" that should be considered by the Council. Am noted that the GOA asked GRULAC members for their position on the issue, but he claimed that none, so far, have defined their position. MATERA