CHINA AND DEFAMATION OF RELIGION RESOLUTIONS

UNCLAS BEIJING 003415 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL KISL KDEM PGOV OPDC CH SUBJECT: CHINA AND DEFAMATION OF RELIGION RESOLUTIONS REF: A. STATE 128320 (NOTAL) ¶B. USUN 1129 (NOTAL) ¶1. (SBU) Our concerns over the free speech implications of the OIC "defamation of religions" resolution will have little resonance with Chinese leaders. China's regional and bilateral interests with certain OIC member states also make it unlikely that the PRC will publicly back the U.S. counter initiative. The OIC-sponsored proposal is, in fact, unlikely to come to the attention of Chinese leadership and, absent a high-level policy decision, the Chinese mission in New York is highly unlikely to reverse its previous record of voting in favor of the resolution. ¶2. (SBU) The International Organizations and Conferences Department Human Rights Affairs Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told us, predictably, that China is "aware of the controversy" surrounding this issue but prefers that "all sides reach consensus through negotiations" in order to "address the interests of all parties." In this context we believe there is little likelihood that the PRC will be responsive to diplomatic pressure to change its existing position on the resolution. GOLDBERG