PRC REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 001126 SIPDIS DEPT FOR EAP/CM, IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/27/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM UNHRC UN CH SUBJECT: PRC REQUESTS U.S. SUPPORT FOR UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ELECTION; DELIVERS HUMAN RIGHTS PLEDGE REF: EAP/CM-EMBASSY BEIJING EMAIL 4/21/2009 Classified By: Deputy Political Section Chief Ben Moeling, reasons 1.4 (b/d). ¶1. (C) China would like the United States to be elected to the UN Human Rights Council (HRC),MFA International Organizations and Conferences Human Rights Division official Chen Yingzhu told PolOff April 27. Chen requested that the United States support China, and noted that China "thinks highly" of the U.S. human rights voluntary commitment submitted in support of the U.S. candidacy for the HRC. Chen noted that China had been "approved for an Asian seat" in the HRC, and, since there were four candidates and four seats, there was "no competition." Chen said both China and the United States were "great countries," and their membership on the Council would help it work more effectively. Chen remarked that China looked forward to working with the United States on the HRC in the future. PolOff responded that it was the general policy of the United States not to reveal its vote in UN elections, but that the United States appreciated being informed of China's candidacy. PolOff assured Chen that the United States would give the fullest consideration to China's request. ¶2. (C) Chen delivered to PolOff an aide memoire on China's human rights voluntary commitment, which she said was delivered separately to the U.S. Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York. (Note: The aide memoire delivered was identical to a copy that EAP/CM received April 20 from the PRC Embassy (reftel).) PICCUTA