Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LUSAKA916
2009-12-01 13:24:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lusaka
Cable title:  

ZAMBIA PREFERS "DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS" BE

Tags:  UNGA UN PHUM ZA 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0012
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHLS #0916 3351324
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 011324Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY LUSAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7485
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1408
UNCLAS LUSAKA 000916 

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL/IRF JOANNELLA MORALES AND NASREEN BADAT
DEPT ALSO FOR IO/HR AMY OSTERMEIER AND COLLEEN NEVILLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA UN PHUM ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA PREFERS "DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS" BE
ADDRESSED IN OTHER VENUES

REF: SECSTATE 122638

UNCLAS LUSAKA 000916

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPT FOR DRL/IRF JOANNELLA MORALES AND NASREEN BADAT
DEPT ALSO FOR IO/HR AMY OSTERMEIER AND COLLEEN NEVILLE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA UN PHUM ZA
SUBJECT: ZAMBIA PREFERS "DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS" BE
ADDRESSED IN OTHER VENUES

REF: SECSTATE 122638


1. (SBU) On December 1, MFA PermSec Tens Kapoma told
Ambassador that Zambia abstained from the Third Committee
vote on the combatting defamation of religions resolution in
part for "legal reasons," and that the Zambian government
(GRZ) will look at whether Zambia can shift to a "No" vote in
the upcoming General Assembly. Kapoma reiterated that the
GRZ preferred such issues be addressed in the Human Rights
Commission, and noted previous agreements between the United
States and Egypt on similar issues in that body. Kapoma
lamented that the Third Committee did not consider a "less
controversial" resolution.


2. (SBU) Poloff also delivered the non-paper mentioned in
reftel to Anne Mtamboh, Director of the MFA's International
Organizations department, and requested that the GRZ refer to
the points raised when deciding how it will vote in the
General Assembly.
BOOTH