UNGA/THIRD COMMITTEE: TANZANIA TO ABSTAIN ON

UNCLAS DAR ES SALAAM 000735 SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR AF/E JTREADWELL; IO/MPR BGHACKETT; USUN/MR BRASHKOW E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AROC KJUS PHUM APER PREL UNGA UN TZ SUBJECT: UNGA/THIRD COMMITTEE: TANZANIA TO ABSTAIN ON COUNTRY RESOLUTIONS REF: A. A: SECSTATE 109397 ¶B. B: SECSTATE 109341 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY. Tanzania plans to repeat its practice in 2008 of abstaining on all country-specific resolutions and related no-action motions. Tanzania will support the U.S. election resolution, but shares concerns about the OIC's resolution on defamation of religions. The GOT expects to support the U.S. candidate for the International Civil Service Commission. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) PolChief delivered reftel demarches to MFA Director of Multilateral Cooperation Ambassador Begum Taj on October ¶27. Taj commented that the GOT did not think the Third Committee was the proper place to present country-specific resolutions (ref A). According to Taj, these resolutions should be brought before the UN Human Rights Council. On the GOT's voting record, she noted that GOT traditionally abstains on such resolutions, and related no-action motions, in order to 'maintain friends on both sides'. While there had been some variations in recent years, in 2008 Tanzania abstained across the board. Taj said the GOT would consider the resolutions given the current circumstances in Iran, Burma, and the DPRK, but expected the overall position on abstention would remain in place. Taj commented that the GOT generally prioritizes social and economic development issues over the "political" Third Committee issues. ¶3. (SBU) With respect to the thematic resolutions, Taj expects the GOT to support the U.S.-sponsored elections resolution, as it has in the past. On the defamation of religions resolution, Taj cited Tanzania's status as a secular state, noting that the GOT could not support a resolution that was contrary to its laws, which guarantee individual rights. ¶4. (SBU) On arms proliferation, Taj expressed appreciation for USG efforts to address nonproliferation with Russia, stating that the GOT has followed the issue with keen interest. She said Tanzania had requested the inclusion of small arms in the UK's First Committee resolution on arms, and would co-sponsor if small arms were included. ¶5. (SBU) Finally, Taj said she saw no reason why GOT would not support the U.S. candidate for the International Civil Service Commission (ref B). She said the GOT had not been demarched by other governments concerning this issue. ANDRE