Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LJUBLJANA257
2008-06-12 15:13:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Ljubljana
Cable title:
SLOVENIA CONCERNED THAT USG DECISION ON UNHRC
how-toVZCZCXRO7779 RR RUEHAG RUEHAST RUEHDA RUEHDF RUEHFL RUEHIK RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHLN RUEHLZ RUEHPOD RUEHROV RUEHSR RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHLJ #0257 1641513 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 121513Z JUN 08 FM AMEMBASSY LJUBLJANA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6735 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0204 RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0243
UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000257
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AND IO/RHS AMY
OSTERMEIER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA CONCERNED THAT USG DECISION ON UNHRC
PREMATURE
REF: STATE 61034
UNCLAS LJUBLJANA 000257
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AND IO/RHS AMY
OSTERMEIER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA CONCERNED THAT USG DECISION ON UNHRC
PREMATURE
REF: STATE 61034
1. On June 12, Emboff informed MFA Minister Plenipotentiary
and EU Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM) Chair Smiljana
Knez of the USG decision to disengage from the UN Human
Rights Council (UNHCR) per reftel. Knez said that Slovenia
and COHOM regret the U.S. decision and believe that it is too
early to determine that the UNHCR is broken beyond repair.
She noted that the U.S. is a very important player in the
field of human rights and that Slovenia and others need
like-minded partners such as the U.S. to ensure that the
UNHRC serves as an instrument for promoting human rights.
2. Knez stated that Slovenia and COHOM are aware that the
UNHCR agenda is not balanced, especially in light of standing
agenda items on issues such as the Occupied Palestinian
Territories. Knez asserted, however, that in the view of
Slovenia and COHOM, more time is needed to reform the UNHCR
from within. She stated that Slovenia believes the reform
process has just begun and that with the first substantial
UNHCR session having just occurred in March and the first
Universal Periodic Review session in April, it is too soon to
judge the long-term effectiveness of the Council. Knez
asserted that after a low point in June 2007, when the
Council decided to eliminate mandates on Cuba and Belarus
and established a permanent agenda item on Israel, the
atmosphere has improved. She pointed to successful actions
on Burma and Zimbabwe as evidence that the UNHCR can serve a
useful purpose.
3. Knez stressed that despite Slovenia's and COHOM's
disappointment in the disengagement of the U.S. from the
UNHCR, they look forward to close cooperation with the U.S.
on human rights within the context of the UN Third Committee.
She noted that the USG decision will be discussed at the
next COHOM meeting on June 27.
GHAFARI
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE AND IO/RHS AMY
OSTERMEIER
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM SI
SUBJECT: SLOVENIA CONCERNED THAT USG DECISION ON UNHRC
PREMATURE
REF: STATE 61034
1. On June 12, Emboff informed MFA Minister Plenipotentiary
and EU Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM) Chair Smiljana
Knez of the USG decision to disengage from the UN Human
Rights Council (UNHCR) per reftel. Knez said that Slovenia
and COHOM regret the U.S. decision and believe that it is too
early to determine that the UNHCR is broken beyond repair.
She noted that the U.S. is a very important player in the
field of human rights and that Slovenia and others need
like-minded partners such as the U.S. to ensure that the
UNHRC serves as an instrument for promoting human rights.
2. Knez stated that Slovenia and COHOM are aware that the
UNHCR agenda is not balanced, especially in light of standing
agenda items on issues such as the Occupied Palestinian
Territories. Knez asserted, however, that in the view of
Slovenia and COHOM, more time is needed to reform the UNHCR
from within. She stated that Slovenia believes the reform
process has just begun and that with the first substantial
UNHCR session having just occurred in March and the first
Universal Periodic Review session in April, it is too soon to
judge the long-term effectiveness of the Council. Knez
asserted that after a low point in June 2007, when the
Council decided to eliminate mandates on Cuba and Belarus
and established a permanent agenda item on Israel, the
atmosphere has improved. She pointed to successful actions
on Burma and Zimbabwe as evidence that the UNHCR can serve a
useful purpose.
3. Knez stressed that despite Slovenia's and COHOM's
disappointment in the disengagement of the U.S. from the
UNHCR, they look forward to close cooperation with the U.S.
on human rights within the context of the UN Third Committee.
She noted that the USG decision will be discussed at the
next COHOM meeting on June 27.
GHAFARI