Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08GABORONE989
2008-11-13 10:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Gaborone
Cable title:  

GOB WILL OPPOSE NO ACTION VOTES IN THIRD COMMITTEE

Tags:  PHUM PREL SU BC 
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PP RUEHDU RUEHMR RUEHRN
DE RUEHOR #0989 3181052
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 131052Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY GABORONE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5377
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0380
RUCNSAD/SOUTHERN AF DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY COLLECTIVE
RUEHDS/AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA 0368
RUEHKH/AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM 0023
C O N F I D E N T I A L GABORONE 000989 

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL/MLGA, IO, AND AF/S
ADDIS FOR USAU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL SU BC
SUBJECT: GOB WILL OPPOSE NO ACTION VOTES IN THIRD COMMITTEE

REF: STATE 117848

Classified By: DCM Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D)

C O N F I D E N T I A L GABORONE 000989

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL/MLGA, IO, AND AF/S
ADDIS FOR USAU

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/13/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL SU BC
SUBJECT: GOB WILL OPPOSE NO ACTION VOTES IN THIRD COMMITTEE

REF: STATE 117848

Classified By: DCM Philip R. Drouin; Reasons 1.4 (B) & (D)


1. (C) In a meeting November 12 with PolOff, Director of the
Department of Multilateral Affairs in the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and International Cooperation Mmamosadinyana Punkie
Josephine Molefe stated that Botswana will oppose all
no-action motions concerning Iran, Burma and the DPRK
expected to arise during Third Committee UNGA meetings in
November. The Director could not confirm how Botswana would
vote regarding the substantive resolutions. She said Botswana
would have to consider facts presented during the open
debates. PolOff conveyed positions held by the United States
and encouraged Botswana to either abstain from the
resolutions or vote in favor of them.


2. (C) When asked why Botswana was moving from its prior
position on the no-action motions, the Director stated that
in years past Botswana felt the selection of countries
singled out in the United Nations for human rights abuses was
more random and that one couldn't rule out that the
selections were, at least partly, politically motivated.
However, the Director stated that now with the UN's Universal
Periodic Review Process (UPR),the fact that all countries
are evaluated made the process of selecting countries cited
for human rights violations unbiased. Therefore, Botswana
would welcome open debate on the merits of the resolutions.
PolOff expressed USG gratitude for Botswana's cooperation in
voting against the no-action motions.


3. (C) The Director expressed concern that PolOff was not
directed to seek support for votes on human rights actions
regarding Sudan. PolOff informed the Director that the USG
is very concerned with the situation in Sudan and was
monitoring it closely. The Director stated that Botswana
would oppose any no-action motions for Sudan and would likely
vote in favor of a resolution against Sudan. The Director
said that countries "need to hold Bashir's feet to the fire"
and that letting him off now would do a lot of harm.

NOLAN