Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CANBERRA591
2008-06-11 03:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Canberra
Cable title:
AUSTRALIA DISAPPOINTED US WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN
how-toVZCZCXRO6035 OO RUEHPT DE RUEHBY #0591 1630348 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 110348Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY CANBERRA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9694 INFO RUEHBN/AMCONSUL MELBOURNE PRIORITY 5331 RUEHPT/AMCONSUL PERTH PRIORITY 3611 RUEHDN/AMCONSUL SYDNEY PRIORITY 3527 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 1930 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0655
UNCLAS CANBERRA 000591
SIPDIS
FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AND IO/RHS AMY OSTERMEIER, ALSO
FOR EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA DISAPPOINTED US WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN
UNHRC
REF: STATE 61034
UNCLAS CANBERRA 000591
SIPDIS
FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AND IO/RHS AMY OSTERMEIER, ALSO
FOR EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA DISAPPOINTED US WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN
UNHRC
REF: STATE 61034
1. (SBU) The Government of Australia (GOA) expressed its
disappointment that the USG will no longer participate in
Human Rights Council (HRC) sessions or activities. POLOFF
met with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) Director of
Human Rights Section Colin Milner who said Australia shares
the same concerns over the politicization and ineffectiveness
of the HRC and is concerned about the effect of US
withdrawal. At the same time, however, Australia will
continue its participation.
2. (SBU) Milner stated the GOA would like to see increased
participation by the U.S., and would have supported the U.S.
seeking a seat on the HRC. He said the GOA felt the two
countries have similar and supporting goals for the HRC and
that by choosing not to participate, the U.S. risked
weakening the Council even further, especially in the short
term. Milner reiterated Australia understand and shared our
concerns about the state of the Council and accepted with
regret the decision of the USG.
3. (SBU) Milner described this as a point where our paths
diverge: where a government either chooses to attempt reform
from within, or leaves and hopes the message is heard and
sparks the desired results. He said Australia hopes this is
not a sign that the U.S. is scaling back its participation in
multilateral fora. POLOFF gave assurance the USG will
intensify its engagement on human rights promotion and
protection in other multilateral venues, especially the UN
General Assembly's Third Committee.
MCCALLUM
SIPDIS
FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AND IO/RHS AMY OSTERMEIER, ALSO
FOR EAP
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL AS
SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA DISAPPOINTED US WILL NOT PARTICIPATE IN
UNHRC
REF: STATE 61034
1. (SBU) The Government of Australia (GOA) expressed its
disappointment that the USG will no longer participate in
Human Rights Council (HRC) sessions or activities. POLOFF
met with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFAT) Director of
Human Rights Section Colin Milner who said Australia shares
the same concerns over the politicization and ineffectiveness
of the HRC and is concerned about the effect of US
withdrawal. At the same time, however, Australia will
continue its participation.
2. (SBU) Milner stated the GOA would like to see increased
participation by the U.S., and would have supported the U.S.
seeking a seat on the HRC. He said the GOA felt the two
countries have similar and supporting goals for the HRC and
that by choosing not to participate, the U.S. risked
weakening the Council even further, especially in the short
term. Milner reiterated Australia understand and shared our
concerns about the state of the Council and accepted with
regret the decision of the USG.
3. (SBU) Milner described this as a point where our paths
diverge: where a government either chooses to attempt reform
from within, or leaves and hopes the message is heard and
sparks the desired results. He said Australia hopes this is
not a sign that the U.S. is scaling back its participation in
multilateral fora. POLOFF gave assurance the USG will
intensify its engagement on human rights promotion and
protection in other multilateral venues, especially the UN
General Assembly's Third Committee.
MCCALLUM