BULGARIA ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE

C O N F I D E N T I A L SOFIA 000601 SIPDIS EUR/NCE FOR TOM YEAGER E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/05/2028 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN SUBJECT: BULGARIA ON UN GENERAL ASSEMBLY THIRD COMMITTEE HUMAN RIGHTS PRIORITIES REF: SECSTATE 93981 Classified By: Political Counselor Jim Bigus for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d ). (C) PolOff delivered reftel demarche to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Head of the Human Rights Department, Dimitar Philipov on September 5. Philipov told PolOff that there is no difference between the U.S. and Bulgarian priorities and initiatives. He said that the EU is negotiating a common position on the human rights issues and that Bulgaria will follow the EU consensus. Philipov said the EU is discussing holding a separate session on Zimbabwe outside of the Human Rights Council, which he hopes will prove more productive, but no final decision has been made. He noted that Bulgaria accepts the U.S. leading role on the prisoners of conscience issue and that Bulgaria would most likely support any future U.S. initiative in this area. Recognizing the Human Rights Council's flaws, Philipov said that Bulgaria regrets the lack of U.S. participation. McEldowney