POLAND SUPPORTS U.S. UNGA PRIORITIES, OFFERS A FEW

C O N F I D E N T I A L WARSAW 001096 SIPDIS DEPT FOR IO/HR COLLEEN NEVILLE DEPT ALSO PASS TO DRL/MLGA CHRIS SIBILLA E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/28/2019 TAGS: PHUM PREL UN PL SUBJECT: POLAND SUPPORTS U.S. UNGA PRIORITIES, OFFERS A FEW OF ITS OWN REF: A. STATE 109397 ¶B. 2008 WARSAW 1128 Classified By: Political Counselor Dan Sainz for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (U) THIS MESSAGE CONTAINS AN ACTION REQUEST. PLEASE SEE PARA 6. ¶2. (SBU) Poland will support UNGA Third Committee country-specific resolutions on Iran, Burma, and the DPRK. Although some states argue that the resolutions cross into the domain of the UN Human Rights Council, MFA UN and Human Rights Department Deputy Director Krystyna Zurek said the motions were an essential part of the Third Committee's work. She agreed with U.S. opposition to no-action motions, noting they do more than block a vote. They also block discussion of important issues. Concerning the biennial U.S. resolution on free elections, MFA Human Rights Division Head Jerzy Baurski said there is consensus among Poland, the EU and the U.S. ¶3. (SBU) Zurek outlined Poland's priorities for the 2009 Third Committee, namely the resolution on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) and an EU-sponsored resolution on religious tolerance. Zurek said the CRC holds a special significance for Poland because it led the former UNCHR working group that drafted the convention. She argued that since the CRC enjoys almost universal membership, it would be difficult now to change tack. Deputy PolCouns noted the State Department's intent to engage in a new interagency process to carefully review the treaty before deciding whether to pursue ratification and conveyed U.S. interest in working with Poland and other EU countries to find acceptable consensus language. ¶4. (C) Turning to religious tolerance, Baurski said Poland agreed the OIC-sponsored anti-defamation resolution is not a useful means of addressing the issue. He stressed that more emphasis should be placed on current tools and mechanisms at states' disposal. Zurek expressed appreciation for U.S. leadership in the recently adopted resolution on freedom of expression at the UN Human Rights Council, noting it had set an important precedent. She expressed hope it would encourage other states to undertake cross-regional dialogue. ¶5. (C) Zurek reaffirmed Poland's intent to pursue a seat on the UN Human Rights Council -- an institution whose "credibility is at stake" -- during the next round of elections in May 2010. She hoped the U.S. would support Poland's candidacy, noting that Poland was interested in reforming key aspects of the Council's functions when it comes up for review in 2011. She lamented in particular that certain countries had been able to use skewed procedures and loopholes to lock up debate and action on important notions. Zurek cited the example of Cuba's recent Universal Periodic Review, in which the speakers' list was closed hours before discussion of the report began, resulting in a litany of near unanimous praise for Cuba's human rights record. As part of its reform platform, Zurek said Poland supports efforts to break up UN regional bloc-voting. ¶6. (C) COMMENT AND ACTION REQUEST: Poland continues to take a principled stand on human rights issues and sees its partnership with the U.S. as crucial. The MFA responded positively to a September 2008 DVC with counterparts in DRL, IO, and L (ref B) and is interested in pursuing a follow-up DVC in early 2010 in advance of the Human Rights Council. Post requests Department strongly consider supporting such an undertaking, given (1) Poland's interest in running for a seat on the Council and; (2) the fact that key Council reform initiatives will come up for consideration during or immediately after Poland's 2011 EU Presidency. With the right preparation and U.S. input, Poland could play a key role in shaping EU thinking along lines similar to ours. TULLEY