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