DEMARCHE ON UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR THE DPRK

UNCLAS MANILA 000751 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MTS STATE ALSO FOR DRL/MLGA (PAZ) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PHUM PREL RP DPRK SUBJECT: DEMARCHE ON UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR FOR THE DPRK REF: A. STATE 27281 ¶B. MANILA 716 ¶C. 2007 MANILA 3710 ¶1. (SBU) Following on poloff's March 17 discussions with Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) contacts (reftel B), Polcouns on March 26 reemphasized to DFA UN and International Organizations (UNIO) Executive Director Grace Princesa the importance the U.S. places on extending the mandate of the Special UN Rapporteur for Human Rights in North Korea (reftel A). While acknowledging the Philippine's general stance of not supporting country-specific UN resolutions, polcouns noted that the Philippine government made exceptions to this general rule in certain important cases. For instance, the Philippines maintained a proactive -- and widely lauded -- stance in pressing for democratization in Burma, and had demonstrated strong support for UN Special Envoy Ibrahim Gambari's efforts. Similarly, top Philippine officials like Foreign Secretary Romulo had been actively involved in engaging North Korea on a variety of issues of concern, including human rights, and a vote in favor of renewing the mandate of the UN's DPRK special rapporteur would reaffirm the Philippines' commitment to encouraging the DPRK to begin meeting international norms of behavior. ¶2. (SBU) Executive Director Princesa was receptive to U.S. views, and said she would engage immediately with senior DFA counterparts involved in developing the Philippines' position on the DPRK special rapporteurs. She went on to promise that the U.S. position would be widely disseminated within DFA and receive careful consideration. EBERT-GRAY