Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OSLO503
2008-09-12 07:22:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Oslo
Cable title:
NORWAY'S VIEWS ON UN THIRD COMMITTEE HR STRATEGY
how-toVZCZCXYZ0004 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHNY #0503 2560722 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 120722Z SEP 08 FM AMEMBASSY OSLO TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0294 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7039
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000503
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S VIEWS ON UN THIRD COMMITTEE HR STRATEGY
REF: STATE 93981
Classified By: Political Counselor Kristen Bauer for reasons
1.4 (b) an d (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L OSLO 000503
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S VIEWS ON UN THIRD COMMITTEE HR STRATEGY
REF: STATE 93981
Classified By: Political Counselor Kristen Bauer for reasons
1.4 (b) an d (d)
1. (C) Poloff met with Anne Merchant, Senior Advisor in the
MFA Section for Human Rights and Democracy, to discuss reftel
points. Norway shares all of our human rights concerns, but
urges caution with respect to some of our initiatives.
Merchant with attend two weeks of the Third Committee
meetings, and her deputies will cover the rest.
Freedom of Expression, Defamation of Religions
-------------- -
2. (C) Merchant strongly emphasized that "now is not a time
for bold new initiatives" on freedom of expression, and "we
must work to consolidate and maintain what we have." She
said that she could not imagine a resolution passing that
condemned recent infringements of freedom of expression.
Furthermore, an attempt to pass such a resolution would
likely lead to a religious respect resolution being proposed
and passed. Despite this, Merchant said that Norway
considered freedom of expression one of its "highest
priorities," and Foreign Minister Stoere will be host a
panel/debate on censorship of the media at the International
Peace Academy on the margins of UNGA. Although Norway did
not co-sponsor our Prisoners of Conscience event in NYC,
Merchant said that re-opening the Declaration for further
signatures was a good idea.
Zimbabwe, Sudan, Iran, Burma, DPRK, Belarus
--------------
3. (C) When asked about the possibility of being part of a
cross-regional coalition to draft and co-sponsor a Zimbabwe
resolution, Merchant was cautious, and said she would have to
see at least a concept paper first. She stressed the
potential helpfulness of SADC country involvement in the
draft as well. Merchant said she did not see the "added
value" in proposing a resolution on Sudan. Norway will be
willing to co sponsor appropriate resolutions on Iran,
Burma, and the DPRK, as it has in the past. Merchant agreed
with us that the positive signals coming from Belarus
indicate that it would be importunate to propose a resolution
at this time, although Norway shares our general assessment
of the situation.
WHITNEY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN
SUBJECT: NORWAY'S VIEWS ON UN THIRD COMMITTEE HR STRATEGY
REF: STATE 93981
Classified By: Political Counselor Kristen Bauer for reasons
1.4 (b) an d (d)
1. (C) Poloff met with Anne Merchant, Senior Advisor in the
MFA Section for Human Rights and Democracy, to discuss reftel
points. Norway shares all of our human rights concerns, but
urges caution with respect to some of our initiatives.
Merchant with attend two weeks of the Third Committee
meetings, and her deputies will cover the rest.
Freedom of Expression, Defamation of Religions
-------------- -
2. (C) Merchant strongly emphasized that "now is not a time
for bold new initiatives" on freedom of expression, and "we
must work to consolidate and maintain what we have." She
said that she could not imagine a resolution passing that
condemned recent infringements of freedom of expression.
Furthermore, an attempt to pass such a resolution would
likely lead to a religious respect resolution being proposed
and passed. Despite this, Merchant said that Norway
considered freedom of expression one of its "highest
priorities," and Foreign Minister Stoere will be host a
panel/debate on censorship of the media at the International
Peace Academy on the margins of UNGA. Although Norway did
not co-sponsor our Prisoners of Conscience event in NYC,
Merchant said that re-opening the Declaration for further
signatures was a good idea.
Zimbabwe, Sudan, Iran, Burma, DPRK, Belarus
--------------
3. (C) When asked about the possibility of being part of a
cross-regional coalition to draft and co-sponsor a Zimbabwe
resolution, Merchant was cautious, and said she would have to
see at least a concept paper first. She stressed the
potential helpfulness of SADC country involvement in the
draft as well. Merchant said she did not see the "added
value" in proposing a resolution on Sudan. Norway will be
willing to co sponsor appropriate resolutions on Iran,
Burma, and the DPRK, as it has in the past. Merchant agreed
with us that the positive signals coming from Belarus
indicate that it would be importunate to propose a resolution
at this time, although Norway shares our general assessment
of the situation.
WHITNEY