Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09BUENOSAIRES397
2009-04-03 19:38:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:
ARGENTINA ABSTAINS AND CONTINUES EVALUATING
how-toVZCZCXYZ0016 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBU #0397 0931938 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 031938Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES TO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0753 RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3470 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0287
UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000397
SIPDIS
IO/RHS FOR OSTERMEIER DRL/MLGA FOR YETKIN
GENEVA FOR MANSFIELD AND CASSAYRE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM KIRF UNHRC AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA ABSTAINS AND CONTINUES EVALUATING
DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS RESOLUTION
REF: A. SECSTATE 27376
¶B. YETKEN-MANSFIELD-GOMEZ 04/01/09 E-MAILS
POLOFF recently raised with Argentine MFA Director General
for Human Rights Silvia Fernandez the USG's ongoing concern
with the "Defamation of Religion" resolution at the UNHRC per
reftels. Fernandez recalled that Argentina initially favored
the resolution, but as the text evolved, Argentina decided to
abstain. She noted that the OAS, Africa, and the EU all
expressed concern with the resolution's impact on freedom of
expression. She also observed that GRULAC's position on the
resolution had not changed. Fernandez stated that Argentina
will continue to evaluate the resolution, and indicated that
she looked forward to working with the USG on this issue.
She added that it would be helpful for countries that do not
support the resolution "to make a clearer argument on the
resolution's negative impact on freedom of expression."
WAYNE