SLOVENIA: MORE ON ZIMBABWE

UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000171 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS DRL/MLGA FOR JNOYES, IO/RHS FOR DROHN, AF-S FOR SHILL, EUR/NCE FOR SSADLE E.O. 12958: DNG: UN 03/22/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL ZI SI SUBJECT: SLOVENIA: MORE ON ZIMBABWE REF: LJUBLJANA 169 SENSITIVE BUT UNCLASSIFIED PROTECT ACCORDINGLY ¶1. (SBU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs Division for International Organizations and Human Security Staffer Smiljana Knez contacted PolOff March 22 to add to reftel demarche response from March 21. Knez said that Slovenia is well aware of the seriousness of the situation in Zimbabwe and will work in Geneva to reach a solution that would be efficient and helpful. She said that the GOS feels the most important issue for the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) is adopting a resolution on Sudan and indicated that it is EU consensus to prioritize Sudan and not let the issue of Zimbabwe undermine this effort. Knez believed the Sudan resolution would likely be adopted on March 23, giving the HRC an opportunity to address other topics Monday and onward. Noting that there are several methods of approaching an HRC action on Zimbabwe, Knez said the EU plans will be a concentrated, coordinated approach, with each country commenting on the seriousness of the issue the same afternoon. She said the GOS felt working towards a resolution was "very risky" given the downsides of losing a potential vote, and that this was a topic of intense discussion in Geneva. ¶2. (SBU) Knez was unsure of whether the GOS would issue an individual condemnation of Zimbabwe's actions, stating that this would be coordinated with the political departments and the Foreign Minister's cabinet. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Given the GOS's nervousness about winning a seat on the HRC after its loss last year, it is likely to be particularly cautious regarding any actions which could alienate potential supporters before the May 2007 vote. That said, Slovenia is likely to follow the EU consensus decision on this issue. End Comment. ROBERTSON