PORTUGAL: REACTION TO US VIEWS ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS LISBON 001800

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UN EUN PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL: REACTION TO US VIEWS ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL 5TH SESSION

REF: SECSTATE 91929

THIS IS AN ACTION REQUEST - PLEASE SEE PARA 3.


1. (U) Pol-econ officer delivered reftel points underscoring
deep USG unhappiness with the results of the UN Human Rights
Council (HRC) 5th Session with MFA Deputy Director of Human
Rights and International Affairs Susana Vaz Patto. Patto
replied that the Portuguese were also quite unhappy with the
special mandate on Israel and the Occupied Palestinian
Territories but was unable to overrule the effort given its
majority support. Vaz Patto shared our concerns about many
of the developments of the HRC's last session.


2. (SBU) In an effort to turn things around and generate
momentum for more positive outcomes, Vaz Patto highlighted
six items that Portugal hopes to present at the UN this
September once it has agreement from other EU member states:
(1) Work to strengthen UN criticism of the situation in
Darfur; (2) Initiate an effort to respond to Sri Lanka's
human rights violations; (3) Resume discussion on the
religious intolerance initiative started in the HRC's 4th
session; (4) Open discussion on the Italian-sponsored draft
resolution on the death penalty; (5) Consider a proposal on
children's rights; and (6) Restart discussions on the UN
response to Belarus. Patto emphasized that Portugal concurs
with most of our policy objectives, with the exception of the
death penalty resolution.


3. (U) ACTION REQUEST: Vaz Patto solicited the USG's policy
goals for the upcoming UNGA and said the EU would like to
collaborate more closely, especially on country-specific
agenda items, to maintain a united front on these issues.
Post requests Department guidance on priority items so that
we can begin coordinating our efforts as early as possible.
End Action Request.
O'Neal