CZECHS HESITANT ON SPECIAL SESSION ON BURMA AT UN

C O N F I D E N T I A L PRAGUE 000236

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL/MLGA LAURA JORDAN, EAP/MLS AARON COPE, AND
IO/RHS DEEPA GHOSH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/07/2017
TAGS: PREL PHUM UNHRC UNGA UNSC BM EZ
SUBJECT: CZECHS HESITANT ON SPECIAL SESSION ON BURMA AT UN
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

REF: A) STATE 26833 B) STATE 27000

Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Michael Dodman for reasons
1.4 b+d


1. (C) Summary: While the Czech MFA has not reached a final
decision, MFA staff are concerned about the timing and
tactics of hosting a UNHRC special session on Burma. Czech
unease relates to the possibility that a special session
could undermine efforts to complete UNHRC institution
building prior to the June deadline, and could support claims
that Burma issues should be discussed only in the Human
Rights Council and not in the UN Security Council. They
offered other suggestions, including a resolution sponsored
by the United States or adding the Burma debate to the fifth
UNHRC session. The Foreign Minister himself (a stalwart
supported of human rights in Burma) will decided on whether
or not the Czechs will propose the special session by the end
of this week. Outside of the Burma issue, Czech goals for
the upcoming session are institution building, Sudan and
Israel. End Summary.


2. (U) On March 7, Political-Economic Counselor met with
Veronika Stromsikova, Director of the Human Rights Department
at the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to deliver reftel
demarches and to discuss Burma and USG priorities for the
upcoming Human Rights Council (HRC) fourth session.

BURMA
--------------


3. (C) Polecon Counselor outlined USG priorities for the
upcoming HRC session and urged the Czechs to lead efforts for
a Burma Special Session at the HRC. We stressed that the USG

had asked the Czechs to lead due to its long history on Burma
issues and noted that this would be the last opportunity for
the Czechs to take action on Burma prior to their departure
from the Council. Stromsikova (who was familiar with the
discussion that had taken place on this topic recently
between Czech and U.S. officials in Washington) responded
that Burma remained a high priority for the Czech government,
but stated clearly that her department, and others within the
MFA, had concerns about the USG proposal for the special
session on Burma. Specifically:


A. The Czechs are concerned about the timing of the proposed
special session, which they know will be controversial among
UNHRC members. Their top priority for the fourth session is
advancing institutional reforms (see further below),and fear
that a protracted debate on the special session will hamper
progress in this area. They believe that if there is to be
special session on Burma, it ought to take place after the
fifth session.


B. Putting forward a country-specific special session at the
upcoming regular session will only weaken the efforts of the
Czechs and like-minded HRC members to battle the efforts of
the OIC and others to constantly try to move country
discussions out of regular sessions and into special
sessions; the Czechs believe it is important to win this
procedural argument and make sure that country matters are
discussed in regular sessions.


C. A special session on Burma likewise undercuts Czech
efforts to return discussion of Burma to the Security
Council; scheduling a UNHRC special session at this time
could make it look like the Czechs and other supporters agree
with the position of Russia, China and South Africa that

Burma's problems don't rise to the level of the UNSC.


D. Least important but still noteworthy, Stromsikova noted
that there is no consensus on this within the EU, and that
even the UK and the Netherlands, traditional allies on Burma,
have both voiced doubts about the idea, and that Germany has
stated its opposition. Noting that the EU HRC members are
already divided on the issue of Middle East resolutions,
which are a priority for the Czechs (see below),Stromsikova
said that the MFA would have to take into consideration how
many battles it is prepared to fight within the EU.


4. (C) These procedural concern notwithstanding, Stromsikova
reiterated that Burma remains a priority for the Czech
Republic. Her Department, in coordination with other MFA
sections, has put forward a decision memo for Foreign
Minister Schwarzenberg -- a long-time advocate on Burma --
and she expected his decision by the end of the week.
Looking ahead, Stromsikova asked that the USG consider two
possible alternatives:


A. The U.S. tables a resolution calling for a special session
(which it can do as an observer). If the U.S. did so the
Czechs would support the resolution.


B. Concentrating efforts on the fifth regular session, or on
a special session following the fifth regular session, so
that institution building reforms can be completed.

CZECH PRIORITIES FOR UPCOMING HRC SESSION
--------------


5. (C) In regards to Czech priorities for the upcoming
session, Stromsikova noted that as Chair of the HRC Working

Group on Mandates and Special Procedures, the GOCR's top
priority is reaching agreement on institutional reforms prior
to the June 18 anniversary/deadline. She expects that there
will be an uphill battle to win approval for the special
procedures that the Czechs believe important to make the
UNHRC effective, thus the Czechs' reluctance to add too many
controversial measures to this session. The second priority
for the session is follow-up action on Sudan given the
Sudanese government's recent behavior towards the assessment
team. Third is Israel, with the Czechs strongly supporting
the U.S. position that the Council is becoming a forum for
Arab issues anytime something happens in the Middle East.
But on Middle East issues generally, Stromsikova noted there
is not a consensus within the EU and that many compromises
will be required to achieve progress. In a similar vein, she
stated Czech opposition to the OIC's push for the right of
development and the defamation of religion.


6. (SBU) Stromsikova will attend the first half of the UNHRC
fourth session and looks forward to working with U.S.
observers in Geneva. She promised to let us know as soon as
her minister makes a final decision on the Burma special
session.
MUNTER