DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000380

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR NEA/ELA AND IO/RHS (OSTERMEIER AND PATEL)
GENEVA FOR CASSAYRE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/03/2029
TAGS: PHUM PREL UNHRC EG
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
PARTICIPATION AND DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE POSTURE

REF: A. STATE 18282

B. STATE 14201

C. GENEVA 133

D. CAIRO 321

Classified By: ECPO Mincouns William R. Stewart for reason 1.4 (b).


1. (C) On March 3, we demarched MFA Deputy Director for Human
Rights Omar Shalaby regarding the U.S. decisions on resuming
participation as an observer at the UN Human Rights Council,
and on the Durban Review Conference (ref A). We also
delivered the Cairo-specific points per ref A. On Durban,
Shalaby said the GOE wants to resolve outstanding U.S.
concerns so that the U.S. can re-engage in the Durban
process. Shalaby noted that the GOE may be able to accept a
general paragraph reaffirming the 2001 Durban Declaration and
Program of Action (DDPA),as opposed to specific
reaffirmation of all DDPA elements. Shalaby said "it was
more likely than not" that the GOE would agree to the removal
of slavery reparations language that goes further than the
DDPA. Shalaby said the GOE expects the text length will
decreased, but he requested U.S. flexibility on the number of
pages.


2. (C) Shalaby said that MFA Deputy Assistant Minister for
Human Rights Wael Aboulmagd, who arrives in Geneva March 3,
will be prepared to present ideas to U.S. interlocutors on
bridging the gaps between the U.S. and Egyptian positions.
Shalaby emphasized that Aboulmagd will not have specific
textual language to propose, but that he will be interested
in discussing ways for the GOE and USG to resolve differences
on the draft outcome document.


3. (C) Shalaby welcomed the U.S. decision to resume
participation in the UN Human Rights Council as an active
observer, and said that the GOE believes U.S. engagement is
positive for the council.
SCOBEY