DEMARCHE ON RESOLUTIONS ON IRAN, BURMA, DPRK

UNCLAS MANILA 002530 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RP UN SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON RESOLUTIONS ON IRAN, BURMA, DPRK REF: STATE 117889 ¶1. Post discussed reftel points with UN and International Organizations Executive Director Grace Princesa of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),regarding the U.S. position that no-action resolutions on Iran, Burma, and North Korea at the U.N. present serious problems for the UNGA because they preclude discussion and action on human rights issues. We conveyed to Director Princesa the USG request that the Philippines vote against no-action resolutions where possible and to abstain or be absent if they could not vote against the resolutions. ¶2. Although the Philippines does not normally support country-specific resolutions, Princesa said she would engage with senior DFA counterparts to ensure the U.S. concerns received careful consideration. She also told us she would forward the information to DFA Political, Security, and Legal Matters Director Leah Basinang-Ruiz, who is currently in New York. KENNEY