DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP: MAURITIUS PARTICIPATION

UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000069 DEPARTMENT FOR MARIA BEYZEROV SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL MP SUBJECT: DURBAN REVIEW CONFERENCE FOLLOW-UP: MAURITIUS PARTICIPATION AND INTEREST REFS: A) PORT LOUIS 0062, B) SECSTATE 14204 ¶1. In a follow-up to CDA's meeting and discussion with Prime Minister Ramgoolam (ref A),on February 24, acting Poloff met with First Secretary Martine S.C. Young Kim Fat to discuss the upcoming Review Conference to evaluate progress made in achieving the goals set by the 2001 World Conference Against Racism. Young said she believes Mauritius will participate in the Review Conference in April but that the level of participation has not been decided. She stressed that human rights and fighting racism are very important to the government of Mauritius and that she hoped the United States would also attend the Review Conference. ¶2. Young was also aware of the February 16 to 19 Intergovernmental Working Group meeting in Geneva and said she was glad the United States had returned to the table. She inquired about specific language to which the United States objected, and acting Poloff responded with the talking points provided (ref B) on unacceptable restrictions on freedom of expression, reparations for slavery, and inflammatory language against Israel. BLASER