SOUTH AFRICAN DIPLOMAT DISAPPOINTED WITH SAG'S

C O N F I D E N T I A L GENEVA 000195 NOFORN E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/05/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREL ZA UNHRC SUBJECT: SOUTH AFRICAN DIPLOMAT DISAPPOINTED WITH SAG'S TRADITIONAL "PARTNERS" Classified By: Acting Political Counselor Mark J. Cassayre, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. A USDel member met with South African Political Human Rights Officer Sybil Matlhako (please protect) on March 2. A normally guarded Matlhako surprised us with her willingness to speak candidly about group dynamics and actions of the Chinese, Cubans, Europeans and Palestinians. She suggested that the African Group (AG) would begin to share with the USG its drafts on technical assistance to AG member countries well before the drafts were tabled. On Mexican PermRep de Alba's attempt to forge a compromise on the Durban Review Text, Matlhako was scathing. Mathalko pressed USDel on possible reform of the HRC, stating that South Africa wanted to work closely with the USG. End Summary. ¶2. (C) In a candid and warm meeting, South Africa's principal negotiator on human rights issues at the UN Human Rights Council, Sybil Matlhako, spoke at length on South African observations regarding the behavior of other delegations, disappointments South Africa has had with the UN Human Rights Council and South Africa's desire to renew its relationship with the USG on human rights issues and work closely together. Matlhako welcomed USG re-engagement in the UN Human Rights Council. ¶3. (C/NF) Matlhako said that the Cuban delegation had been passive since Cuba had its country mandate removed. "The south is unhappy with them," she said, citing the HRC special session on food, at which Cuba "sounded like Europeans" when speaking to G-77 delegations about resolution language. Many in the G-77 speculated that Cuba had made a deal to be less obstructionist in exchange for the removal of the country mandate on Cuba, Matlhako said. Members of the G-77 also noted that Cuba had begun to act somewhat differently in the run-up to its Universal Periodic Review and that "the south was unimpressed" by Cuba's behavior. China, like Cuba, had been "oddly passive" since the creation of the HRC. Matlhako had no speculation on the reason behind Chinese behavior but was very clear that China had not been supporting G-77 initiatives. The Palestinian delegation, said Matlhako had been obviously and hopelessly divided between its Hamas and Fatah representatives in the last special session on Israel/OPT (Note: We have neither previously heard of Hamas representatives in the Palestinian Observer Mission, nor do we know if this accurate. End note.). "We are getting tired of them," she said noting that the HRC could not be expected to resolve political issues. Matlhako had harsh words for the Europeans. "They don't keep their word," she said, further noting that with the EU, "we never know what their bottom line is; it's not like dealing with the U.S. You tell us what you mean and you don't lie about it." ¶4. (C/NF) Turning to racism, USdel expressed the desire to work with South Africa, to the extent possible on the racism text so as to demonstrate USG desires to express its commitment to fighting racism. Matlhako responded that the text would be mostly procedural. The eminent persons working group had met only once and just in this past year and had been "inspiring." South Africa wanted the group to present a report and hoped, now that it had met, the group could be useful in focusing States on racism. Matlhako went on to say that when South Africa did the substantive resolution, it would want to welcome progress in the United States. The election of President Obama and the appointment of Attorney General Holder were watershed moments South Africa wished to honor. USDel suggested that perhaps a generic paragraph on political participation might be the best way to approach South African desires to welcome progress in the United States. Matlhako said they would need to think about the best way to handle it as Australia has been a bit of a lesson. (Note: South Africa welcomed the Australian apology to aboriginals in the last racism resolution. Australia had no real issues with the welcome, but European delegations fought the reference. End note.) ¶5. (C/NF) Asked about Mexican PermRep de Alba's suggested plan to negotiate a Durban Review text, Malthako sputtered. South Africa disliked his instruction package for the HRC, where he "met in secret with a few groups." The process was not transparent and not helpful. De Alba "is not trustworthy" she said. Malthako thought that any package de Alba may try on Durban review would be "DOA." (Note: De Alba has subsequently denied he has plans to table a draft. End note.) ¶6. (C/NF) Matlahako went on at some length regarding South African unhappiness with the institution building package de Alba had brokered. The SAG did not like the process for selecting special rapporteurs as it is not transparent. It was unhappy with the way the code of conduct was done. When asked why South Africa did not support Canada on its objection to the package, Matlhako said, but "we could not agree with them because of the politics." She seemed surprised, as if the idea had not occurred to her, when USdel noted that South Africa did not have to agree with the politics if it had agreed that the adoption process was improper. USDel encouraged her to speak with us if other such issues arise and that together our delegations may be able to find a way to prevent such procedural irregularities in future. Matlhako responded that South Africa wanted to work closely with the United States on reform of the HRC and indeed work closely with the United States on the substantive issues where our governmen ts do agree. ¶7. (C) USDel asked about South African attitudes on technical assistance resolutions and what may happen with the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the March HRC session. Matlhako said that South Africa wanted technical assistance resolutions that did not name and shame and that did actually do something useful. She said the AU would a have text on the DRC and that South Africa would begin to share such texts with the USG well in advance now that we were back in the Council. "We want to make sure we have considered and to the extent we can included USG views in texts" before the AU presents them. ¶8. (C) Comment. USDel was struck by the openness and candor of Matlhako, who is usually guarded, as well as her enthusiasm about the USG decision to reengage. Her candor on the behavior of other delegations was unprecedented, as is the offer to share AU texts before they are negotiated. Although she may have been speaking in a personal capacity on some of these issues and may not be able or willing to change SAG positions, USdel will try to build on this relationship in the hopes of gaining better insights into SA positions and potentially finding ways to breach the divides between the U.S. and the SAG on human rights issues in Geneva. End Comment. STORELLA