POLAND'S VIEWS ON THE UPCOMING UNGA THIRD COMMITEE

UNCLAS WARSAW 002148

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DRL/MLGA FOR LYNN SICADE AND SYLVIA HAMMON, IO/RHS AMY
OSTERMEIER AND DEEPA GHOSH

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHCR UN PL
SUBJECT: POLAND'S VIEWS ON THE UPCOMING UNGA THIRD COMMITEE
RESOLUTIONS

REF: STATE 145641


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: On October 22, PolOff met with Mariusz
Lewicki, Head of the Human Rights Section in the MFA,s UN
Department, to discuss reftel issues to be tabled at the UN
Third Committee next month. Lewicki reaffirmed that Poland
will continue to support country specific resolutions, which
is the common EU position, as well as support the U.S.
position on a majority of the thematic resolutions. He did
indicate that Poland will support the EU's death penalty
resolution, a top priority for Brussels. END SUMMARY.


2. (SBU) On the specific issues, Lewicki provided the
following comments:

-No Action Motions: Poland agrees with the principal against
no-action motions, and supports the open discussion of all
human rights issues raised at the Third Committee.

--Country Specific Resolutions: Lewicki stated that the U.S.
can count on Polish support and a common EU position on the
proposed Burma, DPRK, Iran and Belarus resolutions discussed
in reftel. In the case of Belarus, Lewicki himself raised the
importance of the resolution, especially since the
elimination of the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in
Belarus.

--Rape as an instrument of state policy: According to
Lewicki, there is no common EU position due to disagreements
over specific language in the draft resolution. In
principal, it is supported by the EU and the EU intends to
adopt it. Although Poland along with Ireland and Malta have
some concerns about the language related to "Sexual Health
and Reproductive Rights," Lewicki assured us that they will
work with the U.S. on appropriate language and Poland will
not block the resolution.

--Election Resolution: Poland will continue to back the
biannual resolution to support the UN Elections Program.

--Religious Intolerance: Lewicki was not familiar with the
specifics of this resolution, but noted our comments and
offered to get back to us with Polish reactions.

--Defamation of Religion: Poland,s position remains in
agreement with the U.S. on this issue. Poland and the EU will
continue to vote against the OIC text.

--EU Death Penalty Resolution: Lewicki indicated that it is
the priority EU issue within the Third Committee, which calls
for the abolition of the death penalty. He stated that it was
not only part of the EU Acquis, but also important for the
EU,s external policy.
ASHE