MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY TO FOREIGN MINISTERS

UNCLAS STATE 128322 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPDC PREL PHUM SUBJECT: MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY TO FOREIGN MINISTERS (S/ES: 200922459) ¶1. This is an action message. Please deliver the following message from the Secretary to your host country foreign minister. The Department does not plan to release the text of the message, but has no objection if the host government wishes to do so. There will be no signed original. ¶2. BEGIN TEXT: Dear Mr. Minister/Madam Minister: [or appropriate salutation] Building new partnerships to tackle difficult issues at the United Nations continues to be a priority of the United States. To that end, I hope to establish close cooperation between the United States and [insert host country name] at the UN to address the unacceptable problem of racial and religious intolerance and discrimination. As you know, I have opposed efforts to use the concept of "defamation of religions" to suppress freedom of expression and religion. And I will continue to oppose any instrument that endorses restrictions on those freedoms. I also firmly believe that the international community must come together more energetically to challenge stereotyping, discrimination, intolerance, intimidation, and violence motivated by racial or religious hatred. I hope to work with you and your experts to draw on best practices around the globe to identify and promote constructive, concrete measures that the international community can undertake. Our countries can join together to take steps to combat the scourge of racial and religious discrimination and intolerance while preserving universal human rights protections, including with respect to freedom of expression and religion. The United States and [insert host country name] can play an important role in devising a new approach at the UN that will help galvanize others and engender wider international support. To this end, I would like to send a team of officials and experts to meet with counterparts in your country in the near future. Our hope is that this will allow for a productive exchange of views and potential development proposals that could reduce tension and lead to broad cross-regional support in the UN Human Rights Council at its March session. I deeply appreciate your government's willingness to Accept the visit of our State Department team and to work with us to resolve these important issues. Sincerely yours, Hillary Rodham Clinton END TEXT. CLINTON