Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08OTTAWA1199
2008-09-12 19:59:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Ottawa
Cable title:
CANADA SUPPORTS US GOALS FOR UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE
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C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001199
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IO/RHS - R. JOVIN AND DRL/MLGA L. SICADE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UN CA
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS US GOALS FOR UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE
REF: A. A) STATE 95334
B. B) OTTAWA 758 (TRILATERAL HUMAN RIGHTS MEETINGS)
Classified By: A/PolMinCouns Kurt van der Walde, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
C O N F I D E N T I A L OTTAWA 001199
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IO/RHS - R. JOVIN AND DRL/MLGA L. SICADE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UN CA
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS US GOALS FOR UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE
REF: A. A) STATE 95334
B. B) OTTAWA 758 (TRILATERAL HUMAN RIGHTS MEETINGS)
Classified By: A/PolMinCouns Kurt van der Walde, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
1. (C) Canada supports broadly U.S. goals for the UNGA Third
Committee, according to Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade human rights desk officer Cyndy Nelson.
Nelson said however she could only offer a preliminary
assessment, as Canada is in the middle of an election
campaign. Nonetheless, the election outcome is not likely to
change Canada's positions in the Third Committee, she said.
Canada will support country-specific resolutions on Burma and
the DPRK, said Nelson, and plans to offer a resolution on
Iran. Canada has, however, only informed its closest
partners that it will offer an Iran resolution this year. In
the coming weeks, Canada plans to meet in New York with its
partners, including the U.S., to discuss the resolution.
Canada appreciates U.S. support on the Iran resolution and
welcomes U.S. efforts to lobby on its behalf, said Nelson.
2. (C) Canada agrees that the gravity of the human rights
situation in Zimbabwe warrants specific attention. While the
recent power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe could temper
enthusiasm for a resolution, said Nelson, Canada does not
view the agreement as a reason to forego a country-specific
resolution on Zimbabwe. Canada issued targeted sanctions on
Zimbabwe on September 5, according to Nelson. Canada agrees
that it will be more difficult to convince the Third
Committee to pass a Sudan-specific resolution and is worried
that attempting to do so could undermine the Security
Council's efforts there, said Nelson. Canada strongly
supports extending the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council
(HRC) Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in
Sudan.
3. (C) Canada shares U.S. opposition to no-action motions and
defamation of religion resolutions, said Nelson (ref B).
Canada believes that defamation of religion will continue to
be a charged issue in the Third Committee and agrees that
opponents need to organize a coordinated and concerted
response. Canada also shares U.S. disappointment at the
HRC's decision to require the Special Rapporteur on Freedom
of Expression to report on "abuses" of freedoms, but views
this as a difficulty for the Special Rapporteur, rather than
as an attack on human rights within the HRC, said Nelson.
Canada does not have any ideas on how to restore the UN's
traditional support for freedom of expression at this time.
4. (C) Canadian officials will provide additional thoughts
on ref A demarche points, including on prisoners of
conscience, at a September 16 digital video conference with
State Department DRL and IO officials, said Nelson.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
WILKINS
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IO/RHS - R. JOVIN AND DRL/MLGA L. SICADE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV UN CA
SUBJECT: CANADA SUPPORTS US GOALS FOR UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE
REF: A. A) STATE 95334
B. B) OTTAWA 758 (TRILATERAL HUMAN RIGHTS MEETINGS)
Classified By: A/PolMinCouns Kurt van der Walde, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d
).
1. (C) Canada supports broadly U.S. goals for the UNGA Third
Committee, according to Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade human rights desk officer Cyndy Nelson.
Nelson said however she could only offer a preliminary
assessment, as Canada is in the middle of an election
campaign. Nonetheless, the election outcome is not likely to
change Canada's positions in the Third Committee, she said.
Canada will support country-specific resolutions on Burma and
the DPRK, said Nelson, and plans to offer a resolution on
Iran. Canada has, however, only informed its closest
partners that it will offer an Iran resolution this year. In
the coming weeks, Canada plans to meet in New York with its
partners, including the U.S., to discuss the resolution.
Canada appreciates U.S. support on the Iran resolution and
welcomes U.S. efforts to lobby on its behalf, said Nelson.
2. (C) Canada agrees that the gravity of the human rights
situation in Zimbabwe warrants specific attention. While the
recent power-sharing agreement in Zimbabwe could temper
enthusiasm for a resolution, said Nelson, Canada does not
view the agreement as a reason to forego a country-specific
resolution on Zimbabwe. Canada issued targeted sanctions on
Zimbabwe on September 5, according to Nelson. Canada agrees
that it will be more difficult to convince the Third
Committee to pass a Sudan-specific resolution and is worried
that attempting to do so could undermine the Security
Council's efforts there, said Nelson. Canada strongly
supports extending the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council
(HRC) Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in
Sudan.
3. (C) Canada shares U.S. opposition to no-action motions and
defamation of religion resolutions, said Nelson (ref B).
Canada believes that defamation of religion will continue to
be a charged issue in the Third Committee and agrees that
opponents need to organize a coordinated and concerted
response. Canada also shares U.S. disappointment at the
HRC's decision to require the Special Rapporteur on Freedom
of Expression to report on "abuses" of freedoms, but views
this as a difficulty for the Special Rapporteur, rather than
as an attack on human rights within the HRC, said Nelson.
Canada does not have any ideas on how to restore the UN's
traditional support for freedom of expression at this time.
4. (C) Canadian officials will provide additional thoughts
on ref A demarche points, including on prisoners of
conscience, at a September 16 digital video conference with
State Department DRL and IO officials, said Nelson.
Visit Canada,s Economy and Environment Forum at
http://www.intelink.gov/communities/state/can ada
WILKINS