PORTUGAL WELCOMES USG INVOLVEMENT IN HUMAN RIGHTS

UNCLAS LISBON 000127

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL WELCOMES USG INVOLVEMENT IN HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL, CAUTIOUS ON DURBAN REVIEW POSTURE

REF: SECSTATE 18282


1. (SBU) Pol-Econ Officer briefed Portuguese MFA Human
Rights Director Sara Martins that the United States would be
an active observer in the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) and
would seek to participate actively in discussions and
decisions. Martins said Portugal and its EU partners warmly
welcomed the news. She told us that Portugal, as an active
observer itself, has seen the engagement strategy succeed on
a couple of important votes. She allowed that the HRC has a
"difficult balance of power" that is not favorable to some
developed nation views. She predicted that moderate African
and Asian nations would also view the U.S. participation
favorably and give more weight to EU urging on human rights
issues with U.S. backing. The Universal Periodic Review,
currently scheduled for 2011, could also be a more useful and
accurate document with U.S. and EU cooperation, according to
Martins.


2. (SBU) On the Durban Review, Martins was more cautious.
She admitted that the existing document was seriously flawed,
wordy, and biased, but asked whether the USG position points
per reftel were a starting point or the minimum requirements
for U.S. support. According to Martins, U.S. participation
on Durban would be welcome, but she raised concerns that some
would view the US posture as an attempt to strong-arm the
leadership. Given the limited time left to negotiate,
Martins said she hoped the United States would consider
accepting a revised text if it was moving in the right
direction. She told us that Portugal would be willing to
accept a shorter, more balanced document and hoped the USG
would consider doing the same.


3. (SBU) Comment: Martins implied that she viewed the Durban
Review as an indicator of whether the new Administration
would engage with the international community on global
issues. She emphasized her hope that the United States would
be "strategically flexible" especially in difficult fora,
like the HRC. Martins understands that the U.S. cannot
always be "flexible" when the committees favor unacceptable
policy initiatives. We reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to
work with like-minded partners to realize common policy
goals. End comment.


For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal,
please see our Intelink site: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:
portugal

STEPHENSON