GHANA: DEMARCHE ON UNGA COUNTRY SPECIFIC

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 001209 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/16/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNGA GH SUBJECT: GHANA: DEMARCHE ON UNGA COUNTRY SPECIFIC RESOLUTIONS REF: STATE 116265 Classified By: Ambassador Donald Teitelbaum for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) The Ambassador spoke by phone with Foreign Minister Alhaji Mohammed Mumuni November 16 to deliver reftel points concerning the impending no-action votes on Iran and Burma in the Third Committee. Ambassador stressed the importance of allowing discussion on country-specific human rights resolutions, which would be thwarted if the no-action motions prevail. Mumuni was non-committal regarding how Ghana would vote, but expressed appreciation to the U.S. for cooperating with Ghana on human rights issues. ¶2. (C) Separately on November 16, POL Chief delivered reftel points to Beatrice Brobbey, MFA Director of Multilateral Affairs, noting Ghana's 2008 abstentions on the Iran and Burma no-action motions, and urging the GOG to vote against the no-action motions. Brobbey did not indicate how Ghana would vote on the no-action motions, or comment on the merits of country-specific resolutions for Iran, Burma or North Korea. However, she said that Ghana believes it is important to look at the underlying allegations of human rights abuses. ¶3. (C) Comment: If time permits, a call to the FM could be useful, and should emphasize our shared values in supporting human rights and democracy, as well as the importance of allowing debate to proceed by opposing no-action motions. However, we note that Ghana maintains good relations with Iran, and believe it will be difficult to dislodge them from their status quo position - abstention. End Comment. TEITELBAUM