NEW ZEALAND SUPPORTS US PROPOSED ANTI-RAPE

UNCLAS WELLINGTON 000813 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE STATE FOR EAP/ANP, IO FOR LINDA LUM AND AMY OSTERMEIER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KWMN PHUM NZ SUBJECT: NEW ZEALAND SUPPORTS US PROPOSED ANTI-RAPE RESOLUTION REF: STATE 155063 ¶1. (SBU) Pol/Econ Counselor contacted MFAT on November 13 regarding New Zealand's stance on this USG-sponsored resolution, and to press for New Zealand co-sponsorship. The UN Division's Wendy Hinton said that New Zealand was supportive of the resolution, but was unsure why New Zealand was not a co-sponsor. She called back the Embassy to affirm GNZ support and said that the New Zealand mission in New York had been instructed to relay this message to the US delegation -- that NZ would support a robust resolution and be prepared to co-sponsor as long as the resolution remained true to its intention. She speculated that perhaps the New Zealand delegation in New York was concerned that the possible amendments outlined in reftel would lessen the resolution's impact and therefore New Zealand would not want to support an amended resolution. ¶2. (SBU) Pol/Econ Counselor advised that the USG is also concerned about unhelpful amendments, and urged that the GNZ vote against such amendments. Hinton indicated that should countries propose amendments that would water down the text, New Zealand would oppose them. Post suggests that USUN check with the New Zealand delegation to ensure that their instructions are consistent with MFAT's message to the Embassy. McCormick