SAG WELCOMES BILATERAL RIGHTS DIALOGUE FOR EARLY

UNCLAS PRETORIA 002259 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SF SUBJECT: SAG WELCOMES BILATERAL RIGHTS DIALOGUE FOR EARLY 2009 REF: A. STATE 108422 ¶B. PRETORIA 2094 ¶1. DFA Chief Director for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Pitso Montwedi thanked Washington for its response (Ref A) to his inquiry (Ref B) regarding the scheduling of the next USG-SAG annual human rights consultations. Montwedi understood the USG could not fit the meetings into 2008, and he was amenable to holding them in early 2009, e.g. in late January after the U.S. inauguration. The SAG will host, in Pretoria. Montwedi said his team would initiate planning meetings with Emboffs in the coming weeks. In the meantime he would check with DFA colleagues to learn of any progress on last year's recommendation for South Africa to facilitate and advise on USG assistance in troubled spots elsewhere in Africa. LA LIME