SURINAME: UNGA ISSUES TO BE EXAMINED CASE-BY-CASE

C O N F I D E N T I A L PARAMARIBO 000382 SIPDIS IO/RHS FOR REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA FOR LYNN SICADE, WHA/CAR FOR JACKIE ROSHOLT E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN NS SUBJECT: SURINAME: UNGA ISSUES TO BE EXAMINED CASE-BY-CASE REF: A. STATE 95334 ¶B. PARAMARIBO 321 Classified By: Deputy Chief of Mission Susan Bell for reason 1.4 (b). ¶1. (SBU) On September 12, per reftels A, Post delivered message and discussed with Chantal Elsenhout, acting head of the International Organizations Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Government of Suriname (GOS). Elsenhout said the GOS has not yet made any decisions, but that U.S. interest in conferring on UNGA votes (ref b) has been passed to the Minister. She also reaffirmed Suriname's commitment to look at each vote on a case-by-case basis (ref b),and said no "overarching decisions" have been made. -------------- Zimbabwe: Text Will Matter -------------- ¶2. (C) Elsenhout discussed some individual votes with PolOff, and said that on the issue of Zimbabwe, the text of the resolution will make a difference -- she was not willing to offer an in-depth opinion without seeing a resolution. -------------- -------------- OIC Membership Constrains Freedom of Expression/Defamation of Religion Positions -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Elsenhout expressed initial interest in the idea of partnering on a resolution on freedom of expression saying "any democratic country would be interested," then backed off, connecting the idea with the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and saying that Suriname is constrained by this membership. She also wanted to see a text. On defamation of religion, Elsenhout again mentioned the OIC, saying Suriname does not have a lot of leeway. Elsenhout did say she would check if there is any division in the OIC on the resolution. -------------- -------------- Prisoners of Conscience: Any Decision a Long Ways Off -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) On the Prisoners of Conscience Declaration, Elsenhout said "we just started the process; I'm not sure what stage we're at." She also said she believed the matter is under review by the Ministry of Justice and Police for technical detail, and that the MFA has had no feedback from them yet. Elsenhout said that even if the GOS is willing to sign the Declaration, the "path it has to walk through" is long, and that it would not happen this year. ¶5. (U) Post will report any further reaction from the GOS. SCHREIBER HUGHES