ARGENTINA WEIGHS IN WITH URUGUAY AND BRAZIL ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 001551 SIPDIS FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AND ALYSON GRUNDER E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/11/2018 TAGS: PGOV PHUM AR BZ UY CO SUBJECT: ARGENTINA WEIGHS IN WITH URUGUAY AND BRAZIL ON IRAN, BURMA, AND DPRK HR RESOLUTIONS REF: SECSTATE 118277 Classified By: DCM THOMAS P. KELLY FOR REASONS 1.4 (B) AND (D) ¶1. (C) Poloff raised ref A points with Counselor Silvia Cao, of the Argentine MFA's Office of Human Rights on November 10. Cao indicated that she would pass to her superiors our request to weigh in with GRULAC members on the no-action motions as well as the underlying resolutions condemning the human rights situation in Iran, Burma and the DPRK. ¶2. (C) On November 12, Cao contacted poloff and reported that the MFA informally raised the issue with the Uruguayans and Brazilians at a senior-level MERCOSUR meeting on human rights that took place November 10-12. According to Cao, the Uruguayans stated that they will continue to oppose no-action motions in principle and also indicated that there was growing consensus to vote in favor of the three underlying resolutions. However, a decision had not been made on the underlying resolutions. Cao also told poloff that although the Brazilians did not make any commitments, they asserted they would consider the matter. ¶3. (C) Cao stated that the MFA has instructed its Mission in New York to raise the issue with the Uruguayan and Brazilian Missions. Poloff thanked Cao for the GOA's efforts, and stated that the USG welcomes any additional GOA efforts to persuade other GRULAC members. Cao stressed that the GOA shares the USG's concerns on the deteriorating human rights situation in Iran, Myanmar, and the DPRK, and indicated that the MFA would also try to weigh in with the Colombian government in the coming days. KELLY