UNGA/THIRD COMMITTEE: TANZANIA'S REPONSE TO 2008

C O N F I D E N T I A L DAR ES SALAAM 000588

SIPDIS

AF/E FOR JLIDDLE; IO/RHS FOR REBECCA JOVIN; DRL/MLGA FOR
LYNN SICADE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/09/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNGA TZ
SUBJECT: UNGA/THIRD COMMITTEE: TANZANIA'S REPONSE TO 2008
U.S. HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES

REF: SECSTATE 93981

Classified By: CLASSIFIED BY POLOFF CARL FOX FOR
REASONS 1.4(b) AND (d)


1. (C) SUMMARY. Poloffs met with MFA Director of
Multilateral Cooperation Ambassador Begum Taj to deliver
reftel points on September 9. Taj said the GOT would support
the resolution on Burma, but faced more difficulty on DPRK
and especially Iran. On Zimbabwe, she cautioned that the UN
should respect the efforts of SADC to seek a solution. She
said the GOT opposes no-action motions in general. The GOT's
position on Defamation of Religions remains under review.
END SUMMARY.

COUNTRY-SPECIFIC RESOLUTIONS


2. (C) Burma. Ambassador Taj said the GOT would continue to
support the resolution on Myanmar. She expressed particular
concern about the junta's denial of humanitarian access
following Cyclone Nargis.


3. (C) DPRK. Taj commented that good relations with DPRK
dating back to Tanzania's socialist period made it difficult
to vote against them, although she recognized the human
rights problems there. COMMENT: Tanzania has voted for this
resolution in past years; change is unlikely this year, but
Tanzania's New York mission will need reminding. END COMMENT.


4. (C) Iran. Taj also recognized that Iran had problems on
human rights; however, Tanzania's outstanding oil debt to
Iran puts the GOT in a very uncomfortable position. She said
it was difficult to cast negative votes against Iran while at
the same time asking them for debt forgiveness. Taj
explained that the 2007 vote on the Iran resolution occurred
while Vice President of Tanzania, Ali Mohamed Shein, was
visiting Iran at the time negotiating a debt reduction plan.
Accordingly, Tanzania changed from its usual abstention and
voted against the resolution. She said she expected Tanzania
would return to an abstention this year. Taj also remarked
that Iran lobbied heavily last year and would continue to do
so.


5. (C) Zimbabwe. Taj was cautious about the possibility of a
resolution on Zimbabwe. Taj said Tanzania was working
through SADC, which has entrusted South African President
Mbeki as its mediator. Until Mbeki (or SADC) decides his
work is finished, the GOT believes the international
community should support the mediation process patiently,
with the hope that a satisfactory power-sharing deal would
emerge. Taj added that the GOT is very concerned about
humanitarian access in Zimbabwe and that SADC remains engaged
on this issue.

OTHER ISSUES


6. (C) No-action motions. Taj stated the GOT position was
for all issues to be open for full discussion, and that the
use of no-action motions is not constructive. COMMENT: In
2007, Tanzania changed from its pattern of abstaining on
no-action motions, voting for the motion on Iran and against
on Burma and Belarus. It should be possible to move the GOT
to at least an abstention on Iran. END COMMENT.


7. (C) Defamation of Religions. Taj said the GOT had not yet
considered this issue carefully and would need more time.
She noted that the concept of religious defamation would be
difficult for Tanzania's multi-ethnic and multi-religious
culture. Taj suggested that it might be better to approach
such issues in a more comprehensive manner, perhaps through
follow-up to the Durban Declaration and Program of Action.
She noted that the Africa regional group was in the process
of preparing its proposals to follow-up. Taj seemed surprised
to hear of U.S. concerns about the World Conference Against
Racism.


8. (C) Taj made a point of emphasizing that the GOT and USG
had excellent bilateral relations, reinforced by President
Kikwete's recent official trip to Washington. She expected
our two countries would collaborate closely on UN matters,
and that the GOT would continue its close engagement with
UNGA Third Committee matters. She had no indication of
specific Tanzanian priorities, however.
GREEN