UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000653

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E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2013
TAGS: PHUM UNGA
SUBJECT: UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Classified By: AMBASSADOR KHALILZAD FOR REASONS 1.4(b) AND (d).


1. (C) UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon told Ambassador
Khalilzad July 22 he had spoken to Judge Pillay, his
candidate for UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, after
Secretary Rice's phone call. Regarding Pillay's reported
problematic statement claiming "an international right to
abortion," Ban said she denies ever having written or taken a
public position on this issue. He said she told him she
recognizes that there are fundamental differences on this
issue and that she will not discriminate against those who
hold opposing views.


2. (C) Regarding Pillay's attitudes toward NGOs, Ban said he
has spoken to several, including Kenneth Roth of Human Rights
Watch, and their only concern is that she has not been
particularly accessible to NGOs; but Pillay explains she had
to keep her distance from them as a judge, said Ban, and was
quite accessible to them during her years as an
anti-apartheid activist.


3. (C) Comment: Ban is in a hurry to announce Pillay's
appointment because of the need to get General Assembly
approval. This is a formality, but the effective end of the
current session is rapidly approaching. Unless the United
States has strong objections, Ban will submit the name to the
General Assembly on July 23. He said Pillay will be invited
to a UN management retreat at the end of August in Turin,
Italy, and if the United States has concerns he will raise
them with her there.
Khalilzad