Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DARESSALAAM735
2009-10-28 09:04:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Cable title:  

UNGA/THIRD COMMITTEE: TANZANIA TO ABSTAIN ON

Tags:  AROC KJUS PHUM APER PREL UNGA UN TZ 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0044
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHDR #0735 3010904
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 280904Z OCT 09
FM AMEMBASSY DAR ES SALAAM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8953
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA 0512
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
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

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