Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ALGIERS998
2009-11-05 17:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Algiers
Cable title:
ALGERIA'S THIRD COMMITTEE RECORD UNLIKELY TO CHANGE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 PP RUEHWEB DE RUEHAS #0998 3091742 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 051742Z NOV 09 FM AMEMBASSY ALGIERS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8083 INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0572
UNCLAS ALGIERS 000998
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/HR, DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA'S THIRD COMMITTEE RECORD UNLIKELY TO CHANGE
REF: STATE 108921
UNCLAS ALGIERS 000998
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/HR, DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA'S THIRD COMMITTEE RECORD UNLIKELY TO CHANGE
REF: STATE 108921
1. We delivered reftel points November 4 to MFA Deputy
Director of Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance Ahmed
Saadi. Saadi said that Algeria, as a matter of principle,
did not support country-specific resolutions in the Third
Committee. Dialogue and engagement were more effective
approaches than using resolutions to "single out" countries
for bad behavior. He predicted Algeria's position on the
Iran, Burma and North Korea resolutions would not change from
prior years. Saadi said, however, that Algeria had supported
the biennial U.S. elections resolution in the past and would
do so again during this session.
2. To our request to postpone the Defamation of Religions
resolution Saadi said Algeria that would first consider the
OIC's position. Saadi acknowledged U.S. concerns and agreed
that the outcome of the U.S./Egypt freedom of expression
resolution in the Human Rights Council was an encouraging
precedent. However, Saadi argued the OIC showed considerable
flexibility last year during negotiations of the resolution
on the elimination of intolerance and discrimination based on
religion or belief. He hoped the U.S. could demonstrate
similar flexibility with respect to defamation of religion.
PEARCE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR IO/HR, DRL/MLGA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL UN AG
SUBJECT: ALGERIA'S THIRD COMMITTEE RECORD UNLIKELY TO CHANGE
REF: STATE 108921
1. We delivered reftel points November 4 to MFA Deputy
Director of Human Rights and Humanitarian Assistance Ahmed
Saadi. Saadi said that Algeria, as a matter of principle,
did not support country-specific resolutions in the Third
Committee. Dialogue and engagement were more effective
approaches than using resolutions to "single out" countries
for bad behavior. He predicted Algeria's position on the
Iran, Burma and North Korea resolutions would not change from
prior years. Saadi said, however, that Algeria had supported
the biennial U.S. elections resolution in the past and would
do so again during this session.
2. To our request to postpone the Defamation of Religions
resolution Saadi said Algeria that would first consider the
OIC's position. Saadi acknowledged U.S. concerns and agreed
that the outcome of the U.S./Egypt freedom of expression
resolution in the Human Rights Council was an encouraging
precedent. However, Saadi argued the OIC showed considerable
flexibility last year during negotiations of the resolution
on the elimination of intolerance and discrimination based on
religion or belief. He hoped the U.S. could demonstrate
similar flexibility with respect to defamation of religion.
PEARCE