Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08SINGAPORE1199
2008-11-10 11:32:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Singapore
Cable title:
SINGAPORE TO SUPPORT NO ACTION ON UNGA 3RD
how-toO 101132Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY SINGAPORE TO SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5999 INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE AMEMBASSY BEIJING AMEMBASSY SEOUL AMEMBASSY TOKYO
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)
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
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