Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09RIYADH539
2009-04-08 14:09:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Riyadh
Cable title:
SAUDIS TO SUPPORT USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
how-toVZCZCXRO2632 RR RUEHDH DE RUEHRH #0539 0981409 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 081409Z APR 09 FM AMEMBASSY RIYADH TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0584 INFO RUEHDH/AMCONSUL DHAHRAN 0053 RUEHJI/AMCONSUL JEDDAH 0124 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0029
UNCLAS RIYADH 000539
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS (PATEL),DRL/MLGA (SICADE),NEA/ARP
(HARRIS, BLONG),DRL/NESCA (HICKEY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDIS TO SUPPORT USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL
REF: SECSTATE 31175
UNCLAS RIYADH 000539
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS (PATEL),DRL/MLGA (SICADE),NEA/ARP
(HARRIS, BLONG),DRL/NESCA (HICKEY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDIS TO SUPPORT USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL
REF: SECSTATE 31175
1. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires Rundell and A/DCM Muench delivered
reftel demarche April 7 to Deputy Foreign Minister for
Multilateral Relations Dr. Prince Torki bin Mohamed
al-Kabeer. Prince Torki gave his immediate support for U.S.
candidacy for the Human Rights Council. "Of course we'll
support you," he said. "You've been gone too long."
2. (SBU) The English-language Arab News April 2 devoted
front-page space to the news of the U.S. candidacy, with the
headline: "US to join UN rights body that Bush administration
shunned." That day's lead editorial (which does not
necessarily represent government views) asserts that the U.S.
would use a position on the Council to defend Israel against
criticism. The writer adds: "Washington,s engagement with
the UNHRC could mean it will seek to use the exercise in two
years time to hobble its ability to condemn Israel for
abuses. In so doing, it would also be limiting the
council,s capacity to take a view on human rights abuses
carried out by other states, including the United States
itself."
RUNDELL
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS (PATEL),DRL/MLGA (SICADE),NEA/ARP
(HARRIS, BLONG),DRL/NESCA (HICKEY)
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL SA
SUBJECT: SAUDIS TO SUPPORT USG CANDIDACY FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
COUNCIL
REF: SECSTATE 31175
1. (SBU) Charge d'Affaires Rundell and A/DCM Muench delivered
reftel demarche April 7 to Deputy Foreign Minister for
Multilateral Relations Dr. Prince Torki bin Mohamed
al-Kabeer. Prince Torki gave his immediate support for U.S.
candidacy for the Human Rights Council. "Of course we'll
support you," he said. "You've been gone too long."
2. (SBU) The English-language Arab News April 2 devoted
front-page space to the news of the U.S. candidacy, with the
headline: "US to join UN rights body that Bush administration
shunned." That day's lead editorial (which does not
necessarily represent government views) asserts that the U.S.
would use a position on the Council to defend Israel against
criticism. The writer adds: "Washington,s engagement with
the UNHRC could mean it will seek to use the exercise in two
years time to hobble its ability to condemn Israel for
abuses. In so doing, it would also be limiting the
council,s capacity to take a view on human rights abuses
carried out by other states, including the United States
itself."
RUNDELL