CAMEROON: UNGA 3RD COMMITTEE DEMARCHE DELIVERED

C O N F I D E N T I A L YAOUNDE 000881 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/RHS REBECCA JOVIN, DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE, AND AF/C MADEEHA ASHRAF E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/12/2018 TAGS: AORC CM PHUM PREL UNGA UN SUBJECT: CAMEROON: UNGA 3RD COMMITTEE DEMARCHE DELIVERED REF: SECSTATE 95334 Classified By: Political Officer Tad Brown for reasons 1.4 b and d. ¶1. (C) Poloff met September 11 with Sebastien Foumane, the Secretary General at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to deliver reftel demarche. Foumane appreciated the USG's solicitation of the Government of Cameroon's (GRC) priorities for UNGA and promised to share any information as it became available. Foumane was particularly engaged in the discussion about the "defamation of religions" debate. Poloff urged the GRC to play a leadership role, as a member of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC),in emphasizing respect for religion through dialogue, not restrictions on free speech. Foumane declined to commit the GRC to any positions, but welcomed USG input and follow up. ¶2. (SBU) In a pre-departure meeting in August, Cameroon's new UN PermRep Tommo Monthe had identified three priorities for Cameroon at UNGA: securing the election of Minister Delegate in the Ministry of Justice Maurice Kamto to a seat on the International Court of Justice; holding a commemoration of the peaceful retrocession of the Bakassi Peninsula from Nigeria to Cameroon, hosted by the Secretary General; and securing a pull-aside for President Biya with POTUS. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: We have not yet received details of Biya's travel plans, but will share them with addressees ASAP when we do. GARVEY