DEMARCHE: BUILDING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000538 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR DRL/MLGA JULIETA NOYES AND IO/RHS DOUG ROHN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/19/2017 TAGS: PREL PHUM AR SUBJECT: DEMARCHE: BUILDING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR DEMOCRACY IN ZIMBABWE REF: SECSTATE 34009 Classified By: Ambassador E. Anthony Wayne for Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) POLOFF delivered reftel talking points to Counselor Eduardo Zuain of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Directorate of Human Rights. Zuain stated that the GOA shares our concerns over Zimbabwe's human rights situation and that the GOA would seriously consider USG request to work for a consensus response from the HRC condemning the situation. He stated that he would work with the relevant offices within the MFA and Geneva to provide a coordinated response to our request. Zuain asked how the the EU, Zambia, South Africa, and Kenya viewed the situation, as this information would help inform the GOA's decision. Post requests that the Department provide guidance on this issue as soon as possible so that we may pass the information on to our MFA interlocuters. Post will follow-up with the MFA and report any additional response septel. WAYNE