GEORGIA: MAURITIUS UNDECIDED BUT MIGHT ACT AS PART

C O N F I D E N T I A L PORT LOUIS 000298 SIPDIS FOR EUR/RUS DESK OFFICER KATE SZPILA E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/24/2018 TAGS: PREL PGOV MARR RS GG MP SUBJECT: GEORGIA: MAURITIUS UNDECIDED BUT MIGHT ACT AS PART OF A LARGER GROUP REF: A. SECSTATE 90980 ¶B. SECSTATE 90978 Classified By: DCM VIRGINIA BLASER FOR REASONS 1.4 (b) AND (d). ¶1. (C) On 25 August, DCM delivered ref points to Ambassador Patrice Cure, head of the Multilateral Division at the Mauritian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Cure, the GOM has no considered position on the Georgia/Russia conflict. The GOM, while generally sympathetic to Georgia, would only support a statement or position as a member of larger group -- such as the HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL or the African Union. Cure said, however, that he would communicate ref points to GOM representatives in New York and Geneva and ask for these representatives' opinions of roles the GOM should or could make regarding the conflict in that region. ¶2. (C) Cure raised the issue of Kosovo, noting that many countries may link the Georgia situation to that of Kosovo. After some discussion, Cure noted that he personally agreed with the U.S. position that "the two situations were quite different." ¶3. (C) Embassy Comment: In typical Mauritian fashion, the GOM appears unlikely to take any kind of stand. This issue is, from their optic, too remote to risk any statement of support for either side. End Comment. CABRERA