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