Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08KUALALUMPUR779
2008-09-05 06:27:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Cable title:
UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE 2008 HUMAN
how-toVZCZCXRO5931 RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH DE RUEHKL #0779 2490627 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 050627Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY KUALA LUMPUR TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1591 INFO RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 1606 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1083
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000779
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN MY
SUBJECT: UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE 2008 HUMAN
RIGHTS PRIORITIES: MALAYSIA
REF: SECSTATE 93981
Classified By: POLITICAL CHIEF MARK CLARK
REASON 1.4 (B AND D).
C O N F I D E N T I A L KUALA LUMPUR 000779
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN MY
SUBJECT: UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE 2008 HUMAN
RIGHTS PRIORITIES: MALAYSIA
REF: SECSTATE 93981
Classified By: POLITICAL CHIEF MARK CLARK
REASON 1.4 (B AND D).
1. (C) In a September 4 meeting with MFA official Nur Ayuni
Zainal Abidin, Poloff outlined U.S. priorities for the UNGA
Third Committee,including the human rights situations in
Iran, Burma, and DPRK, and possible initiatives on Zimbabwe.
Poloff also urged that the GOM refrain from supporting
no-action motions and re-examine the tendency of G-77 and
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) members to vote on resolutions
based on bloc positions. He outlined U.S. concern regarding
"defamation of religions" resolutions.
2. (C) While not wishing to discuss the GOM,s positions on
the possible country-specific measures, Nur Ayuni noted that
Foreign Minister Rais Yatim was "strident" in insisting that
the GOM should only support "results-oriented" resolutions.
FM Rais emphasized "constructive engagement" with the
countries in question and advocated a gradualist approach,
not focusing on single issues. Nur Ayuni said Malaysia was
following such principles as a member of the Human Rights
Council. She noted that FM Rais was the current chairman of
the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG),which plans
to address the Zimbabwe situation in its September 27 meeting
in New York. Nur Ayuni said Malaysia would follow the
above-mentioned principles, arguing for a "gradual" steps
with realistic prospects for successful implementation.
3. (C) Nur Ayuni would not comment specifically regarding the
GOM's position on possible "defamation of religions"
resolutions, only suggesting that her government placed more
emphasis on "recognition of socio-cultural differences" than
"freedom of expression" concepts. (Note: A GOM-sponsored
conference on Islam and the West, held in June, featured
participants' endorsement of international legal restrictions
against "defamation of religions." End Note.) She recalled
that in their recent meeting, FM Rais and U.S. Special Envoy
to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Sada
Cumber had agreed on the critical importance of fostering
mutual understanding through inter-faith dialogues and
pledged to work together on such initiatives.
4. (C) Comment: The GOM historically has voted against U.S.
positions on the great majority of such Third Committee
issues and Nur Ayuni,s responses provided no indication that
this is about to change.
KEITH
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR EAP/MTS, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN MY
SUBJECT: UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE 2008 HUMAN
RIGHTS PRIORITIES: MALAYSIA
REF: SECSTATE 93981
Classified By: POLITICAL CHIEF MARK CLARK
REASON 1.4 (B AND D).
1. (C) In a September 4 meeting with MFA official Nur Ayuni
Zainal Abidin, Poloff outlined U.S. priorities for the UNGA
Third Committee,including the human rights situations in
Iran, Burma, and DPRK, and possible initiatives on Zimbabwe.
Poloff also urged that the GOM refrain from supporting
no-action motions and re-examine the tendency of G-77 and
Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) members to vote on resolutions
based on bloc positions. He outlined U.S. concern regarding
"defamation of religions" resolutions.
2. (C) While not wishing to discuss the GOM,s positions on
the possible country-specific measures, Nur Ayuni noted that
Foreign Minister Rais Yatim was "strident" in insisting that
the GOM should only support "results-oriented" resolutions.
FM Rais emphasized "constructive engagement" with the
countries in question and advocated a gradualist approach,
not focusing on single issues. Nur Ayuni said Malaysia was
following such principles as a member of the Human Rights
Council. She noted that FM Rais was the current chairman of
the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group (CMAG),which plans
to address the Zimbabwe situation in its September 27 meeting
in New York. Nur Ayuni said Malaysia would follow the
above-mentioned principles, arguing for a "gradual" steps
with realistic prospects for successful implementation.
3. (C) Nur Ayuni would not comment specifically regarding the
GOM's position on possible "defamation of religions"
resolutions, only suggesting that her government placed more
emphasis on "recognition of socio-cultural differences" than
"freedom of expression" concepts. (Note: A GOM-sponsored
conference on Islam and the West, held in June, featured
participants' endorsement of international legal restrictions
against "defamation of religions." End Note.) She recalled
that in their recent meeting, FM Rais and U.S. Special Envoy
to the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) Sada
Cumber had agreed on the critical importance of fostering
mutual understanding through inter-faith dialogues and
pledged to work together on such initiatives.
4. (C) Comment: The GOM historically has voted against U.S.
positions on the great majority of such Third Committee
issues and Nur Ayuni,s responses provided no indication that
this is about to change.
KEITH