Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
10BUENOSAIRES23
2010-01-14 17:11:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Buenos Aires
Cable title:
Argentina Reconsidering its Position on "Defamation of
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 RR RUEHWEB DE RUEHBU #0023 0141711 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 141711Z JAN 10 FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0327 INFO MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0007
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000023
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/01/14
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UN AR
SUBJECT: Argentina Reconsidering its Position on "Defamation of
Religion" Resolution at the UN
CLASSIFIED BY: Thomas Kelly, Charge, STATE, EXEC; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L BUENOS AIRES 000023
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/01/14
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UN AR
SUBJECT: Argentina Reconsidering its Position on "Defamation of
Religion" Resolution at the UN
CLASSIFIED BY: Thomas Kelly, Charge, STATE, EXEC; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) A Foreign Ministry contact informed poloff on January 13
that the Government of Argentina (GOA) is strongly reconsidering
its previous position on the Defamation of Religion issue in the
UN, and is very likely to change its position from abstaining to
voting along with the United States. However, USG approach should
not disclose any knowledge of this pending change in position as it
could prompt a reversal. Argentine officials in Geneva and New
York, in coordination with officials in Buenos Aires, have been
advocating for such a change for some time. The contact shared
that a decision was made at the highest levels last year not to
accept the professional-level recommendation for reasons unknown to
the contact. However, with a view toward regional partners like
Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay, the movement to change position has
gained new traction and appears more likely to be accepted.
2. (C) Post welcomes the planned visit of IO Deputy Assistant
Secretary Nossel in early February and will plan a full set of
meetings with the appropriate officials involved in the
decision-making process. The Ministry is determining which of its
officials would be most appropriate for engaging with DAS Nossel.
Post recommends that any approach to officials combine a focus on
freedom of speech as a human right with an emphasis on changes in
policy by like-minded Latin American countries.
KELLY
KELLY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 2035/01/14
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM UN AR
SUBJECT: Argentina Reconsidering its Position on "Defamation of
Religion" Resolution at the UN
CLASSIFIED BY: Thomas Kelly, Charge, STATE, EXEC; REASON: 1.4(B),(D)
1. (C) A Foreign Ministry contact informed poloff on January 13
that the Government of Argentina (GOA) is strongly reconsidering
its previous position on the Defamation of Religion issue in the
UN, and is very likely to change its position from abstaining to
voting along with the United States. However, USG approach should
not disclose any knowledge of this pending change in position as it
could prompt a reversal. Argentine officials in Geneva and New
York, in coordination with officials in Buenos Aires, have been
advocating for such a change for some time. The contact shared
that a decision was made at the highest levels last year not to
accept the professional-level recommendation for reasons unknown to
the contact. However, with a view toward regional partners like
Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay, the movement to change position has
gained new traction and appears more likely to be accepted.
2. (C) Post welcomes the planned visit of IO Deputy Assistant
Secretary Nossel in early February and will plan a full set of
meetings with the appropriate officials involved in the
decision-making process. The Ministry is determining which of its
officials would be most appropriate for engaging with DAS Nossel.
Post recommends that any approach to officials combine a focus on
freedom of speech as a human right with an emphasis on changes in
policy by like-minded Latin American countries.
KELLY
KELLY