Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07TBILISI2644
2007-10-25 08:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tbilisi
Cable title:  

GEORGIA: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS DEMARCHE

Tags:  PHUM PREL KTIA GG 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0001
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSI #2644 2980841
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 250841Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY TBILISI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7977
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 4602
UNCLAS TBILISI 002644 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT. FOR IO, DRL, EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KTIA GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS DEMARCHE

REF: SECSTATE 145641

UNCLAS TBILISI 002644

SIPDIS

SIPDIS
SENSITIVE

DEPT. FOR IO, DRL, EUR/CARC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KTIA GG
SUBJECT: GEORGIA: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS DEMARCHE

REF: SECSTATE 145641


1. Per reftel request, Poloff delivered talking points to
Alexander Nalbandov, Director of the Department of
International Organizations at the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs. On the issue of "no-action" motions, Nalbandov said
that it was Georgia's policy not to support no-action motions
and they would always vote against them. He added that the
GoG believed that it was important each resolution be debated
on its substance, in line with the U.S. position.


2. (SBU) Regarding the country specific resolutions on the
human rights records of Burma, Iran, Belarus and North Korea,
Nalbandov said that human rights is a top priority for the
Georgian government and the issue of human rights violations
in other countries is important for Georgia. He added,
however, that he had recently discussed the Iran resolution
with Georgian Ambassador to the UN, Irakli Alasania, who is
in Tbilisi for consultations, and it was agreed that Georgia
would abstain from voting on it. Poloff emphasized that the
Iran resolution was a top priority for the U.S. and asked
that Georgia consider voting for the resolution. Nalbandov
replied that Georgia would most likely support the country
specific resolutions for Burma, North Korea and Belarus, but
he would have to consult with other government officials
before he could confirm Georgian support (Note: Of the three,
the Belarus resolution might be most problematic, as the
Georgian government has recently opened an Embassy there and
both sides have publicly stated their desire to improve
bilateral relations. End note).


3. Nalbandov said that Georgia "absolutely" favors any
resolution calling for a moratorium on the death penalty.
Georgia abolished the death penalty in 1997, he said, and has
signed and ratified both EU Convention on Human Rights
protocols calling for the abolition of the death penalty
during peace and wartime.


4. Nalbandov was not aware of the U.S.-sponsored resolution
in support of the UN Elections Program. He said he would
check with the Georgian mission at the UN, but added that he
did not think there would be any problem for Georgia to
support the Resolution.
TEFFT