CHILE LIKELY TO SUPPORT BOSNIA (IF IT RUNS) AND

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANTIAGO 000768 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR U/S BURNS, IO, AND DRL E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/11/2017 TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC CI SUBJECT: CHILE LIKELY TO SUPPORT BOSNIA (IF IT RUNS) AND SLOVENIA FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL REF: A. STATE 63345 ¶B. SANTIAGO 0346 AND PREVIOUS ¶C. 2006 SANTIAGO 00847 Classified By: Ambassador Craig Kelly for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) It is highly likely that Chile would support Slovenia and Bosnia for the United Nations Human Right Council (UNHRC),if Bosnia runs. Foreign Ministry Deputy Director for Human Rights Jorge Tagle told Poloff May 10 that Chile currently plans to support the two declared candidates, Solvenia and Belarus, if they emerge as the European consensus candidates. However, if Bosnia were to declare, Chile would look on it "with great sympathy." Tagle noted that Chile had a "special relationship" with Bosnia. Chile has committed peacekeeping troops to EUFOR for many years, and supported Bosnia's inclusion in the UN, EU, and other international bodies. ¶2. (C) Conversely, when Tagle and MFA Deputy Director for Multilateral Affairs Jaime Acuna met with Special Representative for Social Issues Rees on April 30, both officials expressed reservations about Belarus's candidacy (septel). Acuna expressed concern that stable "blocks" of votes based on differing, "relativized" conceptions of human rights had developed in the UNCHR. There was a working majority against country-specific resolutions. Chile voted to support country-specific resolutions on Belarusian human rights practices in 2005 and 2006. ¶3. (C) Chile has stated in the past it would only support countries with good human rights records for the UNHRC (ref C). Chile itself will be a candidate in 2008 (ref B). Chile most likely would prefer not to support Belarus and, if given the option, likely would support any country with better human rights credentials. However, unless and until Bosnia or another third country declares for the UNHCR and seeks Chile's support, Chile will not lobby against Belarus or take actions which might damage its own prospects for 2008. ¶4. (C) Once Bosnia makes its intention to run public, Post suggests Department do the following: -- Weigh in at the appropriate level with Chilean Permanent Representative to the UN Munoz. -- Instruct Geneva to coordinate with Chile's Permanent Representative Juan Antonio Martabit, who is influential on multilateral and human rights issues. ¶5. (C) Once Bosnia declares, the Ambassador also will weigh in with senior GOC officials in Santiago. KELLY