Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09OUAGADOUGOU217
2009-03-24 15:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Ouagadougou
Cable title:  

BURKINA WILL EITHER ABSTAIN OR BE ABSENT FOR THE

Tags:  KIRF PHUM UV 
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VZCZCXYZ0012
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHOU #0217 0831525
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 241525Z MAR 09
FM AMEMBASSY OUAGADOUGOU
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4777
UNCLAS OUAGADOUGOU 000217

INFO UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KIRF PHUM UV
SUBJECT: BURKINA WILL EITHER ABSTAIN OR BE ABSENT FOR THE
"DEFAMATION OF RELIGION" RESOLUTION VOTE

REF: SECSTATE 27376

(SBU) On March 23, Pol/Mil officer delivered reftel demarche
to Mr. Der Kogda, Director of Multilateral Affairs at the
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr. Kodga indicated that the
GOBF was well aware of the Defamation resolution and the
debate surrounding it. He offered that Burkina's position
was clear and remained unchanged: "Burkina does not get
involved in this type of debate because we do not find it
useful or pertinent to Burkina". Kogda explained that in
Burkina Faso, people tolerated each others' religions;
inter-marriages are common and respect for each others'
beliefs was deeply entrenched in the culture. He went on to
say that Burkina did not even want to engage in the
defamation debate because the Burkinabe population would not
appreciate Burkina taking a stand one way or the other.
Kogda said that Burkina would either abstain from voting on
the resolution, or would decline to even be present when
voting occurred. Kogda thanked the Embassy for the
information, saying it was useful to know exactly where the
USG stood on this issue. He promised to share the
information with the Burkinabe Missions in New York and
Geneva.
LAEUCHLI