Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08COPENHAGEN483
2008-09-11 14:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Copenhagen
Cable title:  

DANISH VIEWS ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE PRIORITIES

Tags:  PHUM PREL UNGA DA 
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VZCZCXRO0731
PP RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHCP #0483 2551429
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 111429Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY COPENHAGEN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4444
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1550
RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000483 

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA DA
SUBJECT: DANISH VIEWS ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE PRIORITIES

REF: SECSTATE 95334

Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d

C O N F I D E N T I A L COPENHAGEN 000483

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/10/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA DA
SUBJECT: DANISH VIEWS ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE PRIORITIES

REF: SECSTATE 95334

Classified By: Pol/Econ Counselor Bill Mozdzierz, reasons 1.4b,d


1. (C) Poloff delivered reftel demarche on USG human rights
priorities for the 2008 UN General Assembly Third Committee
to Emil Paulsen of the Danish MFA Human Rights Department.
Paulsen confirmed EU opposition to no-action motions. He
also confirmed EU plans to table resolutions on Burma and the
DPRK, and did not foresee major problems. Additionally,
Paulsen said Denmark intends to present a resolution on
torture in the Third Committee, and anticipates US support,
but will pursue this in meetings in Washington September 25.
Paulsen noted that Denmark has not consolidated its position
on the other issues in the reftel demarche.


2. (C) In principle, Denmark supports an Iran resolution,
Paulsen said, but expressed concern over negative reaction by
African countries, which might jeopardize other EU
resolutions. Proposed U.S. resolutions on Zimbabwe and/or
Sudan also run the risk of lack of support. He stated that
Denmark is unwilling to "swap" resolutions, such as the EU
Religious Intolerance Resolution, for one on Zimbabwe or
Sudan. Denmark opposes the resolution on "defamation of
religions," and agrees that the EU Religious Intolerance
Resolution, to be presented in Third Committee, could serve
as a useful counterweight. Paulsen was cautious on whether a
Freedom of Expression resolution could be successful at this
time, noting that other EU partners might be reluctant to
commit.


3. (C) Paulsen took note of our proposal on prisoners of
conscience, but reported that there is not yet a common
position in the EU. He understood the U.S. reluctance to
pursue a Belarus resolution, but suggested it should not be
ruled out completely in light of the upcoming elections in
the country.
CAIN