B-K ACTION REQUEST: DECEMBER VOTE ON "DEFAMATION

C O N F I D E N T I A L FREETOWN 000470 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/02/2019 TAGS: PHUM KIRF SL SUBJECT: B-K ACTION REQUEST: DECEMBER VOTE ON "DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS" REF: STATE 122637 Classified By: CDA Glenn Fedzer for reason 1.4 (d) ¶1. (U) Reftel demarche was delivered to Ministry of Foreign Affairs Deputy Director General Khadijatu Bashir, normally the number four person in the Ministry but currently acting Foreign Minister (the incumbent returns from the Hajj on December 3, with other senior officials also abroad). The acting Foreign Minister was unaware that Sierra Leone had voted yes for the resolution, and said she found it helpful to know that Ghana had abstained. She promised a review of the vote, and indicated she would prepare a position paper supportive of the U.S. position on the vote for Foreign Minister Bangura on her return. ¶2. (C) Mrs. Bashir's comment on the demarche was a surprise, as ministry officials other than the Foreign Minister normally avoid substantive comments on policy. Her interest in converting the vote to something more supportive of the U.S. is sincere, however (she is a relative of a local embassy employee),but as she normally focuses on internal Ministry administration, it is no surprise that she was not informed, or following, the voting in the Third Committee. Based on her comments, there is a chance that Sierra Leone's support of the resolution could be converted into an abstention, but this decision may ultimately hinge on the Foreign Minister's experience during the Hajj in Saudi Arabia. If positive, she may be unwilling to aggravate relations with the OIC so soon on her return. Regardless, post will follow up where possible to encourage a change in Sierra Leone's position. FEDZER