SINGAPORE TO SUPPORT NO ACTION ON UNGA 3RD

C O N F I D E N T I A L SINGAPORE 001199 E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/10/2028 TAGS: PHUM PREL SN SUBJECT: SINGAPORE TO SUPPORT NO ACTION ON UNGA 3RD COMMITTEE HUMAN RIGHTS RESOLUTIONS REF: STATE 11789 Classified By: CDA Daniel Shields for Reasons 1.4 (b/d) ¶1. (C) CDA used reftel materials to urge, in a November 10 meeting with MFA International Organizations Director Lim Kheng Hua, that Singapore move as far as it can in the direction of voting against no-action resolutions and for UNGA 3rd Committee Human Rights resolutions on Iran, Burma and the DPRK. Lim responded negatively, stating that Singapore opposes in principle country-specific human rights resolutions and will follow its traditional approach of voting for no action on these resolutions. ¶2. (C) CDA emphasized that use of no-action motions is a serious problem for the UNGA that all countries must continue to fight. CDA drew on reftel materials to note Singapore's previous abstentions on no-action motions on Burma and the DPRK and to urge that Singapore not move backwards on these issues. Lim said Singapore's abstentions on Burma and the DPRK had been one-time votes intended to signal Singapore's displeasure over the Burmese regime's crackdown on the monks and the DPRK nuclear test. CDA asked what had changed in Burma that would merit any softening in Singapore's position. Lim was unable to provide examples of positive change on human rights in Burma. She said Singapore's previous abstention on Burma no-action had reflected the specific circumstances surrounding the Burmese regime's crackdown on the monks at a time when Singapore was the ASEAN Chair. She stated that last year's abstention was due to "extraordinary circumstances" and that now things were "back to normal." CDA noted there is nothing normal about the human rights situation in Burma. ¶3. (C) Lim acknowledged that Burma had approached Singapore on the issue but she denied that Singapore had changed its position in response to lobbying by the Burmese regime. CDA urged that Singapore reconsider its position. Visit Embassy Singapore's Classified website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eap/singapore/ind ex.cfm SHIELDS