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