FM YODA: BURKINA FASO WILL ABSTAIN FROM BLOCKING A

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000591 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL PHUM UNSC XY UV SU SUBJECT: FM YODA: BURKINA FASO WILL ABSTAIN FROM BLOCKING A HUMAN RIGHTS RAPPORTEUR FOR SUDAN ¶1. (SBU) Burkinabe Foreign Minister Yoda called Ambassador Rice on June 10 to request U.S. views on the mandate renewal of the Special Rapporteur for Human Rights for Sudan. Ambassador Rice stressed the U.S. wants a robust new mandate for the Rapporteur, noting Sudan need not fear a rapporteur if it abides by its commitments to protect human rights. Yoda said Sudanese President Bashir was lobbying for the African Group to vote against the Rapporteur. Yoda confirmed Burkina Faso would abstain from the vote if the African Group does indeed decide to vote against a Rapporteur. ¶2. (SBU) FM Yoda said both President Campaore and he remained committed to strengthening further its relationship with the United States. He asked Ambassador Rice's assistance in conveying to Secretary Clinton his desire to work with her on a range of international and regional issues. Ambassador Rice thanked Burkina Faso for its leadership in the Security Council and on African issues, and she welcomed his expressed desire to enhance further our strong bilateral relationship. RICE