ROMANIA ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL AND THE U.S.

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000471 SIPDIS STATE FOR EUR/NCE JENSEN, DRL/MLGA SICADE, AND IO/RHS OSTERMEIER E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/12/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL RO SUBJECT: ROMANIA ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL AND THE U.S. REF: STATE 61034 Classified By: POLITICAL COUNSELOR TED TANOUE; REASONS 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (C) POLOFF delivered reftel points on June 10 to MFA Director for Human Rights Razvan Rotundu. Rotundu was well aware from reporting by Romania's representatives in Geneva of the U.S. decision to cease its observer status, and said that he was sympathetic with the U.S. points. He pointed out that the UNHRC President, Romanian Ambassador Doru Costea, tried his best to help UNHRC operate at a high level, but contentious issues among participants fixed hard lines of confrontation. Rotundu noted, for example, Costea's strong disagreement on the statements concerning Israel. He was unsuccessful at moving the UNHRC to a more balanced position. ¶2. (C) Rotundu said that Romania was not happy overall with the performance of the UNHRC. Although it would continue to participate fully through Ambassador Costea's term, the MFA planned to conduct its own assessment of the UNHRC afterwards. Meanwhile, Romania would continue to examine the UNHRC proposals for action in coordination with the other EU members. TAPLIN