Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09TOKYO2051
2009-09-04 07:05:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Tokyo
Cable title:
JAPAN CONSIDERS IRAN'S CHANCES FOR HRC MEMBERSHIP,
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C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002051
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS COLLEEN NEVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2019
TAGS: AORC PHUM UNGA JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN CONSIDERS IRAN'S CHANCES FOR HRC MEMBERSHIP,
"NOT GOOD"
REF: STATE 90427
Classified By: POL M/C Robert Luke for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L TOKYO 002051
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS COLLEEN NEVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2019
TAGS: AORC PHUM UNGA JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN CONSIDERS IRAN'S CHANCES FOR HRC MEMBERSHIP,
"NOT GOOD"
REF: STATE 90427
Classified By: POL M/C Robert Luke for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)
1. (C) EMBASSY Tokyo Political Officer delivered reftel
demarche to Deputy Director Seitoku Kawakami of MOFA's Human
Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Division. Kawakami stated
there are already five candidates from the Asian Group for
Human Rights Council (HRC) membership, "Malaysia, Iran,
Thailand, the Maldives, and Qatar." Moreover, "East Timor
has approached Japan with HRC candidacy application materials
and so Japan believes East Timor will also become a
candidate."
2. (C) Kamakami pointed out that in 2006, when Iran had run
for the HRC, "it only got 58 votes, even though 97 votes are
needed." HRC members have been watching the post-election
situation in Iran and this will have a negative impact, he
added, predicting that, "Iran will not earn any more votes
then it got last time." Kawakami estimated that Malaysia
would get the most votes, followed by Qatar, and Thailand.
He was not sure about the Maldives or East Timor, because, he
said, "the Maldives does not maintain many embassies
worldwide to press its case, and Dili has not yet officially
announced its candidacy."
2. (C) Kawakami concluded by saying Japan would not be able
to run for the HRC in 2011, as three consecutive terms are
not allowed, but that it would again seek a membership in
2012, at which point, "we will probably have to make some
deals in order to get elected."
ROOS
SIPDIS
DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS COLLEEN NEVILLE
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/04/2019
TAGS: AORC PHUM UNGA JA
SUBJECT: JAPAN CONSIDERS IRAN'S CHANCES FOR HRC MEMBERSHIP,
"NOT GOOD"
REF: STATE 90427
Classified By: POL M/C Robert Luke for Reasons 1.4 (b, d)
1. (C) EMBASSY Tokyo Political Officer delivered reftel
demarche to Deputy Director Seitoku Kawakami of MOFA's Human
Rights and Humanitarian Affairs Division. Kawakami stated
there are already five candidates from the Asian Group for
Human Rights Council (HRC) membership, "Malaysia, Iran,
Thailand, the Maldives, and Qatar." Moreover, "East Timor
has approached Japan with HRC candidacy application materials
and so Japan believes East Timor will also become a
candidate."
2. (C) Kamakami pointed out that in 2006, when Iran had run
for the HRC, "it only got 58 votes, even though 97 votes are
needed." HRC members have been watching the post-election
situation in Iran and this will have a negative impact, he
added, predicting that, "Iran will not earn any more votes
then it got last time." Kawakami estimated that Malaysia
would get the most votes, followed by Qatar, and Thailand.
He was not sure about the Maldives or East Timor, because, he
said, "the Maldives does not maintain many embassies
worldwide to press its case, and Dili has not yet officially
announced its candidacy."
2. (C) Kawakami concluded by saying Japan would not be able
to run for the HRC in 2011, as three consecutive terms are
not allowed, but that it would again seek a membership in
2012, at which point, "we will probably have to make some
deals in order to get elected."
ROOS