Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07THEHAGUE1939
2007-10-25 05:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy The Hague
Cable title:  

NETHERLANDS/UNGA: DUTCH SUPPORTIVE ON MOST THIRD

Tags:  UN KTIA PHUM PREL NL 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHTC #1939 2980504
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 250504Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0611
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 4339
C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001939 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: UN KTIA PHUM PREL NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/UNGA: DUTCH SUPPORTIVE ON MOST THIRD
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS

REF: A. A. SECSTATE 145641


B. B. THE HAGUE 1840

C. C. THE HAGUE 1809

D. D. THE HAGUE 1627

Classified By: Eric Falls, Political Officer, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
)

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 001939

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/23/2017
TAGS: UN KTIA PHUM PREL NL
SUBJECT: NETHERLANDS/UNGA: DUTCH SUPPORTIVE ON MOST THIRD
COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS

REF: A. A. SECSTATE 145641


B. B. THE HAGUE 1840

C. C. THE HAGUE 1809

D. D. THE HAGUE 1627

Classified By: Eric Falls, Political Officer, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d
)


1. (C) SUMMARY: On October 24, 2007, POLOFF delivered reftel
A points to Dutch MFA Director for Human Rights, Ms. Maryem
van den Heuvel, and Reneko Elema, Senior Policy Officer. Van
den Heuvel welcomed the consultation, noting Dutch agreement
on all country resolutions. While inclined to support the
USG on the religious freedom and elections resolutions, Dutch
had reservations about the anti-rape resolution and concerns
about the USG opposition to the EU death penalty resolution.
The Netherlands traditionally opposes 'no action' motions in
favor of open debate. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) BURMA: The Dutch have led efforts within the EU to
sanction Burma (reftel B),so Van den Heuvel welcomed U.S.
support for the EU's Burma resolution in New York.
Negotiations in New York are proceeding well. The Dutch
would like to add language referring to a visit by Special
Rapporteur Pinheiro. Pinheiro's visit should not be used by
the regime to dilute world criticism. The visit ought to
instead prompt effective action by the regime. Van den
Heuvel added that the Dutch hope to send Dutch Human Rights
Ambassador Arjan Hamburger to Burma a second time to
emphasize to authorities that the world remains focused on
Burma.


3. (C) OTHER COUNTRY RESOLUTIONS: Van den Heuvel said the
New York negotiations on the Belarus, Iran and North Korea
resolutions "are going well." The Dutch want to send strong
signals to the regimes. On Iran, the Dutch plan to give an
explanation of position regarding discrimination against
homosexuals in Iran. The Dutch understand that adding
language to the resolution on this issue is not possible at
this time but want to draw attention to it. On Uzbekistan,
Van den Heuvel noted that the human rights situation deserves
attention. She would be interested in seeing a text if the
United States prepares a draft. Ambassador Hamburger
recently received a visa to visit Uzbekistan but was unable
to meet with the government or NGOs. Among EU states, the
Netherlands takes the "firmest" approach that dialogue with
Uzbekistan and other Central Asian nations should achieve
concrete results.


3. (C) RAPE AS AN INSTRUMENT OF STATE POLICY: Van Den Heuvel
repeated Dutch concerns about the U.S. draft resolution
opposing rape as an instrument of state policy (reftel C).
The Dutch agree that the matter is important and support the
idea of the initiative. Furthermore, FM Verhagen is focused
on women's rights and security as they relate to human
rights. However, notwithstanding USG objections, the Dutch
believe it is important to cite relevant UN instruments, such
as CEDAW, as part of the resolution.


3. (C) RELIGIOUS INTOLERANCE: Debate on the EU's draft
resolution in Geneva was postponed until December.
Previously, the Netherlands had hoped to coordinate
resolutions in Geneva and New York to avoid duplication
(reftel D). Now, the Netherlands is supporting, within the
EU, a 'shorter' resolution introduction in New York. The EU
presidency is expected to present a draft in the near future.


4. (SBU) DEFAMATION OF RELIGION: The Dutch want to manage
this issue carefully and ask that the United States stay in
close contact. They have not seen any text for the
resolution.


5. (SBU) ELECTIONS: Van den Heuvel welcomed the opportunity
to review the text of the U.S. elections resolution.


6. (C) DEATH PENALTY: Van den Heuvel stated that that the
EU's resolution on the death penalty was "very important,"
and that the situation was worrying in many parts of the
world. She noted, 'off the record,' that the U.S. had
tacitly agreed not to lobby against the resolution during
some previous sessions of the Third Committee. POLOFF
reviewed the U.S. position on the resolution (reftel D) and
promised to seek information about U.S. lobbying plans.
Gallagher