Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KIGALI856
2008-12-16 16:44:00
SECRET
Embassy Kigali
Cable title:  

DEMARCHES ON UNESCO, IRAN, SOMALIA, KOSOVO

Tags:  PREL PGOV UNESCO PHUM KPKO PARM RW 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLGB #0856 3511644
ZNY SSSSS ZZH
P 161644Z DEC 08
FM AMEMBASSY KIGALI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5784
INFO RUEHBS/AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS 0352
RUEHJB/AMEMBASSY BUJUMBURA 0451
RUEHDR/AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM 1265
RUEHKM/AMEMBASSY KAMPALA 2041
RUEHKI/AMEMBASSY KINSHASA 0591
RUEHLO/AMEMBASSY LONDON 0365
RUEHNR/AMEMBASSY NAIROBI 1373
RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS 0624
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0182
S E C R E T KIGALI 000856 

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO AF, ISN, NEA AND T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNESCO PHUM KPKO PARM RW
SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON UNESCO, IRAN, SOMALIA, KOSOVO
DELIVERED

REF: A. STATE 131164

B. STATE 130915

C. STATE 129524

D. STATE 129098

E. STATE 127443

Classified By: DCM Cheryl Sim for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)


S E C R E T KIGALI 000856

SIPDIS

DEPT PLEASE PASS TO AF, ISN, NEA AND T

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/15/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV UNESCO PHUM KPKO PARM RW
SUBJECT: DEMARCHES ON UNESCO, IRAN, SOMALIA, KOSOVO
DELIVERED

REF: A. STATE 131164

B. STATE 130915

C. STATE 129524

D. STATE 129098

E. STATE 127443

Classified By: DCM Cheryl Sim for reasons 1.4 (b) (d)



1. (SBU) Pol/Econ Chief delivered reftel demarches to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Multilateral and Bilateral
Relations Director Kato Ninyetegeka on December 15. On the
UNESCO candidacy of Egyptian Culture Minister Farouk Kosni
(ref B),Ninyetegeka reacted immediately to the information
on Kosni's call for the burning of Israeli books, saying
such remarks constituted a form of "cultural genocide"
inappropriate to the UNESCO Director-General position. "He
should not be the top candidate," said Ninyetegeka.
Waiting for the appearance of other candidates appeared a
reasonable strategy, he agreed.


2. (S) On the two Iran demarches (refs A and D),
Ninyetegeka said that Rwanda would carefully consider the
merits of the human rights resolution. He noted, as he and
other Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials have in the
past, that Rwanda had a "skeletal" delegation at the UN,
and often missed votes on issues not directly connected to
Rwanda's regional and developmental interests. On defense
cooperation with Iran, Ninyetegeka said Rwanda respected UN
Security Council resolutions, and would not access Iranian
arms or related material given that existing prohibition.
(Note: Post is not aware of any defense cooperation
programs between the two nations. End note.)


3. (SBU) On Somalia and the prospect for transforming
AMISOM into a UN peacekeeping force (Ref C),Ninyetegeka
suggested Somalia's immediate neighbors could do more to
help peace and stability there; however, he added that
Rwanda would be generally supportive of "anything that
contributes to peace," including a UN peacekeeping force.


4. (SBU) On recognizing Kosovo's independence (ref E),
Ninyetegeka said Rwanda would carefully consider whether
the time had come to recognize Kosovo as a sovereign state,
but this would require a decision at the highest levels of
the government, and he could not make a commitment.

SYMINGTON