BAHRAIN: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE PRIORITIES

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000635 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/17/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN BA SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE PRIORITIES REF: STATE 93981 Classified By: CDA Christopher Henzel for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) A/DCM met with MFA Undersecretary for International Cooperation Ahmed Al-Haddad on September 16 to discuss reftel points in preparation for the UNGA Third Committee meetings. Al-Haddad noted that Bahrain had voted "no", supporting Iran, in years past, and would likely do so again when CANADA introduces its resolution. He indicated that Bahrain would be more likely to support resolutions on Burma and the DPRK. On a possible Zimbabwe resolution, Al-Haddad felt that the recent power sharing deal seemed to preclude a tough resolution against the Mugabe government. ¶2. (C) With regard to no-action motions, Al-Haddad allowed that the use of these motions to preclude debate on serious human rights issues was problematic. However, he added that they were effective from a procedural standpoint. Al-Haddad said that he would instruct the Bahraini delegation to coordinate with the U.S., EU, and other GCC delegations on the country specific resolutions and no-action motions. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** HENZEL