FRENCH PRIORITIES FOR THE 64TH UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE

UNCLAS PARIS 001443 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/HR: CNEVILLE AND DRL/MLGA: CSIBILLA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UN FR SUBJECT: FRENCH PRIORITIES FOR THE 64TH UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE REF: SECSTATE 109397 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: France is on the same page as the United States with respect to country-specific and thematic resolutions for the UNGA Third Committee and seeks USG support for French sponsored initiatives, stated MFA desk officer for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Cecile Vigneau, who spoke to poloff on October 27 in response to reftel demarche. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) France is ready and willing to engage with the U.S. in order to assure a productive Third Committee session in the 64th UNGA, according to MFA Assistant Director for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Cecile Vigneau. In regards to the country-specific resolutions, Vigneau said that France is absolutely in support of the EU's annual resolutions on human rights in Burma and the DPRK, thanking us for helping to bring attention to these issues of mutual interest. She also noted that the GOF fully supports Canada's annual resolution on the human rights situation in Iran but wishes to see the finalized text. Vigneau confirmed that France shares our concerns on the Defamation of Religions resolution and that the GOF is in full agreement with the U.S. on the need to defer or defeat it at UNGA. Regarding the resolution on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, Vigneau explained that France was actively involved in sponsoring the resolution at the European Union level and now strongly promotes the work of leads Colombia and Mexico on the issue. She remarked that the French viewpoint on the U.S.-backed Elections resolution would be best discussed by her colleagues in New York. ¶3. (SBU) Vigneau expressed appreciation for U.S. willingness to engage on the EU and the Group of Latin American and Caribbean countries (GRULAC) jointly co-sponsored annual resolution on the Rights of the Child. She commented that the specific text of the resolution is currently being debated amongst the EU member states and that the Swedes will be taking the lead on the issue in New York. ¶4. (SBU) Describing the issue of religious discrimination as a particularly challenging topic for UNGA discussion, Vigneau solicited our support on the EU resolution on the Elimination of All Forms of Intolerance and of Discrimination Based on Religious Beliefs, which she said needed the full endorsement of the U.S. and other influential states to win ratification. She urged the U.S. to reconsider the not-yet-into-force French-Argentian sponsored International Convention for the Protection of All Persons from Enforced Disappearance, which remains seven signatures short of implementation. France will also introduce a French-Brazilian drafted resolution on the Elimination of Violence Against Women meant to protect women against all forms of violence, including sexual violence. RIVKIN