Benin: UNGA Third Committee 2008

C O N F I D E N T I A L COTONOU 000551 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN AND DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AF/W FOR AKUNNA COOK E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN BN SUBJECT: Benin: UNGA Third Committee 2008 REF: STATE 093981 Classified by Ambassador Gayleatha Brown. Reasons: 1.4 (b&d). ¶1. (C) On September 4, 2008, the DCM delivered ref demarche to the MFA Director of International Organizations, Thomas Adoumasse. Adoumasse summarized the GOB position on the continued promotion of the concept of "defamation of religions," saying that one of the cornerstones of Beninese democracy is the freedom of conscience and religion. However, he said that the GOB did not support any motion that curtails other civil liberties in the guise of the protection of religious freedom. Adoumasse also stated that the GOB did not think that raising both Zimbabwe and Sudan resolutions in this year's Third Committee would be productive. ¶2. (C) Adoumasse commented at length on the overwhelmingly positive reception President Mugabe had received at the AU meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh only a short time after the Zimbabwe elections, which he said had been repudiated by most official commentators. From this reception he concluded that Mugabe could continue to count on the support of a majority of African heads of state. ¶3. (C) Adoumasse said that the AU was dominated by certain countries, notably South Africa. Moreover, he did not believe that South African President MbekiQs support of his counterpart in Zimbabwe was flagging in any significant way. Adoumasse concluded that effective influence by the international community on developments in Zimbabwe would not be exerted by means of a UN resolution that would be stymied by the African voting block. Moreover, he characterized a Beninese vote with the US to censure Zimbabwe as a Qsolo flightQ that no other African country would likely support. ¶4. (C) Adoumasse thought that the chances of a successful Sudan resolution were much better. He believes that there is a "precedent" of international censure of human rights abuses in Darfur, which improves the prognosis of such a resolution. BROWN