TANZANIA SUPPORTS MADAGASCAR'S CANDIDACY FOR SEAT

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000336 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO; ALSO AF/E FOR BYODER, AF/RSA FOR MBITTRICK ADDIS FOR AU MISSION E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM UNHRC TZ SUBJECT: TANZANIA SUPPORTS MADAGASCAR'S CANDIDACY FOR SEAT ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: STATE 022283 ¶1. (SBU) Ambassador Begum Taj, Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Multilateral Division, told PolCouns March 8 that Madagascar has decided to run for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and that Tanzania will support Madagascar's candidacy. Taj noted that informally the UN Africa Group tries to distribute the Africa HRC seats geographically; this year four seats from Africa are being contested and Madagascar is considered to be in the East Africa region. PolCouns pointed out that Algeria is considering running again for a HRC seat and Egypt has already officially announced its candidacy, creating the precedent that two of the four African HRC seats open this year could be from the same region. ¶2. (SBU) PolCouns emphasized the United States' concern that Africa be represented on the UNHRC by nations such as Tanzania with a record of stable democratic institutions and respect for human rights. The GOT is well-regarded as a balanced voice in both regional and international fora, supported by Tanzania's strong performance as a member of the UN Security Council from 2005 to 2006, and could make a positive contribution to the Human Rights Council. ¶3. (SBU) Taj said she appreciated the confidence the U.S. has in Tanzania and would forward the request to reconsider running for a seat to senior levels. She stressed, however, that Tanzania would not run against Madagascar for the "East African" seat and is more likely to "wait until next year" to consider being a candidate for a seat on the HRC. DELLY