Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09DHAKA346
2009-04-07 03:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Dhaka
Cable title:
BANGLADESH NON-COMMITAL ON USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN
how-toVZCZCXRO1063 PP RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHCI RUEHDBU RUEHLH RUEHNEH RUEHPW DE RUEHKA #0346 0970353 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 070353Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8572 INFO RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHHMUNA/USCINCPAC HONOLULU HI PRIORITY
UNCLAS DHAKA 000346
SIPDIS
IO/RHS FOR AMY OSTERMEIER AND GAYATRI PATEL, DRL/MGA FOR
LYNN SICADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BG PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH NON-COMMITAL ON USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: STATE 31175
UNCLAS DHAKA 000346
SIPDIS
IO/RHS FOR AMY OSTERMEIER AND GAYATRI PATEL, DRL/MGA FOR
LYNN SICADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BG PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH NON-COMMITAL ON USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: STATE 31175
1. (U) On April 6, POLOFF spoke with M. Mahbubul Alam in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) UN and Human Rights Wing,
to convey reftel points and urge the Government of Bangladesh
(GOB) to support the USG,s candidacy for a seat on the UN
Human Rights Council (UNHRC). We emphasized that the US was
committed to active engagement on human rights issues through
multilateral institutions and that the UN was a key forum for
advancing the cause of human rights. We also added that we
have been concerned with the direction that the Council has
taken in recent years and firmly believed that engaging with
the institution from within was the most effective way to
reform it. Mr. Alam stated that the GOB welcomed the USG,s
candidacy but could not offer a pledge of support at this
stage since it was also a candidate and was deciding which
countries to support. He added that such decisions were
typically made by the Foreign Minister after taking several
factors, including the country,s external obligations, into
account.
2. (U) We will follow up with Senior GOB officials.
PASI
SIPDIS
IO/RHS FOR AMY OSTERMEIER AND GAYATRI PATEL, DRL/MGA FOR
LYNN SICADE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: BG PGOV PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH NON-COMMITAL ON USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN
RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: STATE 31175
1. (U) On April 6, POLOFF spoke with M. Mahbubul Alam in the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) UN and Human Rights Wing,
to convey reftel points and urge the Government of Bangladesh
(GOB) to support the USG,s candidacy for a seat on the UN
Human Rights Council (UNHRC). We emphasized that the US was
committed to active engagement on human rights issues through
multilateral institutions and that the UN was a key forum for
advancing the cause of human rights. We also added that we
have been concerned with the direction that the Council has
taken in recent years and firmly believed that engaging with
the institution from within was the most effective way to
reform it. Mr. Alam stated that the GOB welcomed the USG,s
candidacy but could not offer a pledge of support at this
stage since it was also a candidate and was deciding which
countries to support. He added that such decisions were
typically made by the Foreign Minister after taking several
factors, including the country,s external obligations, into
account.
2. (U) We will follow up with Senior GOB officials.
PASI