JAMAICA: DELIVERY OF DEMARCHE ON 2008 HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L KINGSTON 000807

SIPDIS

WHA/CAR - ANDRE CADIEUX
IO/RHS - REBECCA JOVIN
DRL/MLGA - LYNN SICADE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN JM XL
SUBJECT: JAMAICA: DELIVERY OF DEMARCHE ON 2008 HUMAN RIGHTS
PRIORITIES

REF: STATE 95334 (051845Z SEP 08)

Classified By: Charge' d' Affaires a.i. James T. Heg, Reasons 1.5 (B) a
nd (D)

1.(C) Per reftel, Ambassador, DCM, and PolOffs delivered
demarche regarding 2008 human rights priorities in a private
meeting with the Government of Jamaica (GoJ)'s Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Dr. Kenneth Baugh, the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade (MFAFT)'s
Under-Secretary for Multilateral Affairs Vilma McNish, and
MFAFT Director for International Organizations Norma
Taylor-Roberts on the afternoon of Sept. 10. Ambassador set
the overall framework of the demarche, and DCM and PolOff
delivered specific points.

2.(C) In response, Baugh, McNish, and Taylor-Roberts offered
the following observations:

Iran
--------------
Baugh noted that the recent NAM Ministerial had proved
useful, and assessed that the international community had
been successful in pressuring Iran on nuclear issues. He
noted that the NAM respected the International Atomic Energy
Agency, and that Iran had and expressed support for a
nuclear-free zone in the Middle East as long as Israel were
included. With respect to Iran's human rights record, Baugh
said his government would need more information, but in
principle could possibly support a Third Committee
resolution, depending on the details of its text and the
justification.

Zimbabwe and Sudan
--------------
McNish said the GoJ "had not contemplated" a possible Third
Committee resolution on human rights in Zimbabwe, citing a
lack of African support for such a measure. She acknowledged
that there "had been human rights violations," but "in the
global picture" doubted that such a resolution would receive
sufficient support, especially in light of ongoing talks
between the opposing parties. Baugh said he had spoken with
Namibian officials who objected to condemning Zimbabwe before
any resolution had been passed on Sudan, a more egregious
violator. He also said that, during the NAM Ministerial,
Zimbabwe's Foreign Minister had spoken of the "gross
inequity" with which much of the world viewed his country's
current problems, many of which had deep historical roots.
When asked if Jamaica could support resolutions if African
countries withdrew their objections, McNish responded: "we
would have to see the texts."

Burma and DPRK
--------------
McNish noted that Jamaica traditionally has abstained on
resolutions relating to the DPRK and Burma. She added that
the situation in Burma was a "bit tricky after the cyclone."
She said Jamaica wished to see the Human Rights Council (HRC)
play a bigger role in these issues; while their discussion in
the Third Committee was not precluded, this nevertheless
"defeated the purpose of the HRC," which should bear the bulk
of the responsibility.

No-Action Motions
--------------
McNish said that "in principle, we would be inclined not to
support a no-action motion, but it would depend on the
specific circumstances." (Note: historically, Jamaica
usually has abstained on no-action motions in the Third
Committee.)

Defamation of Religion
--------------
Baugh requested more details on the Defamation of Religion
resolutions. He stated that Jamaica supported the protection
of human rights, "but actual resolutions become a little
complicated" (PolOff said we would request additional
information).

Declaration on Prisoners of Conscience
--------------
McNish said the MFAFT's Chief Legal Counsel was reviewing the
Declaration, which was "under active consideration." She
noted that the Declaration might overlap with other UN
conventions to which Jamaica already is a party.

Overall UN Voting Record
--------------

Ambassador concluded by observing that, given the close ties
of history, culture, migration, and democracy between Jamaica
and the USA, it seemed odd that the two countries so often
took different positions on key issues at the UN. McNish was
quick to point out that Jamaica's taking divergent positions
on specific UN votes should not be misinterpreted as
anti-USA, and should not undermine the strong bilateral
relationship. Baugh observed that the international context
was important; small nations must rely more heavily on
international fora. McNish noted that, on many issues on
which Jamaica had not voted with the USA, Washington's
position had been supported by only a small minority within
the UN. DCM mentioned the letter of March 24, 2008 regarding
Jamaica's UN voting record addressed by thirty-eight
bipartisan members of the House of Representatives to Prime
Minister Bruce Golding, and noted that, in light of the close
cooperation between our two countries, the legislative branch
of the USG viewed Jamaica's UN voting record with keen
interest.

3.(C) Per paragraph three reftel, demarche also was
delivered to the office of Prime Minister Bruce Golding on
the afternoon of September 10; post will report any response.
HEG