MAURITIUS LARGELY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. UN THIRD

UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000351 SENSITIVE SIPDIS AF/E OR MARIA BEYZEROV IO/HR FOR COLLEEN NEVILLE DRL/MLGA FOR CHRIS SIBILLA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL UN MP SUBJECT: MAURITIUS LARGELY SUPPORTIVE OF U.S. UN THIRD COMMITTEE 2009 PRIORITIES REF: SECSTATE 109397 (SBU) On October 26, Poloff delivered reftel points to Ambassador Patrice Cure, Head of Multilateral Directorate - Political, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Regional Integration and International Trade. Cure began the discussion with what he called the hard topic of Iran. He stated that Mauritius would not be willing to adopt anything "pointing the finger" at Iran, but would maintain a "principled line." When Poloff stressed the executions, detentions and especially the severe limits on freedoms of expression after the June elections in Iran, Cure remained steadfast that Mauritius' stance was not in line with the U.S. viewpoint. On the issues of Burma and DPRK, Cure confirmed that Mauritius would continue to support the EU resolutions on human rights in those countries. Cure sees "no-action motions" as detrimental when used as obstacles to procedural methods. However, Mauritius will have to view these on a case-by-case basis, and regional groups like the AU could play a role in its position, he said. Mauritius will also continue to support our biennial resolution on free elections. In regards to the defamation of religions resolution, Cure explained that Mauritius had changed its position from supporting this resolution to abstaining and expected to continue down this path. When Poloff pushed back, Cure noted that the movement in the direction the U.S. desired (away from full support) had been influenced by U.S. arguments, but indicated that there are domestic political reasons for not moving to full opposition. On the Rights of the Child, Cure indicated that Mauritius will be interested in learning what changes the U.S. proposes. He had no substantive comment on the resolution on Discrimination Against Women. BLASER