Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08NASSAU678
2008-09-23 22:06:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Nassau
Cable title:
UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES DEMARCHE DELIVERED
VZCZCXYZ0010 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHBH #0678 2672206 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 232206Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY NASSAU TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5764 INFO RUCNCOM/EC CARICOM COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0068 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0094
C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000678
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN BF
SUBJECT: UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES DEMARCHE DELIVERED
REF: A. STATE 93981
B. NASSAU 657
C. NASSAU 644
Classified By: Charge Zuniga-Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L NASSAU 000678
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN BF
SUBJECT: UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES DEMARCHE DELIVERED
REF: A. STATE 93981
B. NASSAU 657
C. NASSAU 644
Classified By: Charge Zuniga-Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) PolChief delivered demarche points on UN General
Assembly Third Committee human rights priorities (ref A)to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary and Head of
International Relations Division, Marilyn Zonicle September
22, completing an introductory round of MFA meetings that
urged continued Bahamian support for U.S. priorities at the
UNGA on human rights (reftel B, C). Ms. Zonicle, who will
accompany Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Brent
Symonette to New York for the UNGA session, took note of the
points but made no direct reply. To PolChief's query on the
GCOB's pattern of voting with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
in the UNGA, Ms. Zonicle replied that The Bahamas did not
regularly attend NAM meetings, aside from occasional summits,
and took an "independent" stance at the UN, including not
acknowledging the NAM statement in their remarks.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (SBU) The GCOB's voting coincidence on the main
resolutions at the UN in 2007 continued the positive trend
noted already in 2006 under the previous government, when The
Bahamas also supported country-specific resolutions on human
rights. Room for improvement remains. In 2006, The Bahamas
did not vote with the U.S. on the resolution combating
defamation of religions and disagreed on 6 important votes of
13 (with one abstention) in 2007.
ZUNIGA-BROWN
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN BF
SUBJECT: UNGA HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES DEMARCHE DELIVERED
REF: A. STATE 93981
B. NASSAU 657
C. NASSAU 644
Classified By: Charge Zuniga-Brown for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) PolChief delivered demarche points on UN General
Assembly Third Committee human rights priorities (ref A)to
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Under Secretary and Head of
International Relations Division, Marilyn Zonicle September
22, completing an introductory round of MFA meetings that
urged continued Bahamian support for U.S. priorities at the
UNGA on human rights (reftel B, C). Ms. Zonicle, who will
accompany Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Brent
Symonette to New York for the UNGA session, took note of the
points but made no direct reply. To PolChief's query on the
GCOB's pattern of voting with the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)
in the UNGA, Ms. Zonicle replied that The Bahamas did not
regularly attend NAM meetings, aside from occasional summits,
and took an "independent" stance at the UN, including not
acknowledging the NAM statement in their remarks.
--------------
COMMENT
--------------
2. (SBU) The GCOB's voting coincidence on the main
resolutions at the UN in 2007 continued the positive trend
noted already in 2006 under the previous government, when The
Bahamas also supported country-specific resolutions on human
rights. Room for improvement remains. In 2006, The Bahamas
did not vote with the U.S. on the resolution combating
defamation of religions and disagreed on 6 important votes of
13 (with one abstention) in 2007.
ZUNIGA-BROWN