Cablegate: Gos Council Reputedly Supports Dismantling

P 111046Z OCT 90
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6949
INFO AMEMBASSY LONDON PRIORITY
AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA
AMEMBASSY CAIRO
AMEMBASSY NAIROBI
AMEMBASSY PARIS
AMEMBASSY RIYADH
USCENTCOM REAR MACDILL AFB
DIA WASHDC

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 03 KHARTOUM 10657

LONDON ALSO FOR AMBASSADOR CHEEK

E.O. 12356: DECL:OADR
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINS MARR EAID PHUM PREL EG IZ SU
SUBJECT: GOS COUNCIL REPUTEDLY SUPPORTS DISMANTLING
RELIEF, USE OF ...

PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHMN #0404/01 1971651
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 151651Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8335
INFO RUCNMER/MERCOSUR COLLECTIVE
,C O N F I D E N T I A L MONTEVIDEO 000404

SIPDIS

DEPT FOR WHA/BSC KBEAMER
DEPT FOR DRL/SEAS GRICKMAN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/15/2018
TAGS: PGOV PINR PINS MARR EAID PHUM PREL EG IZ SU
SUBJECT: VERY LITTLE ANTI-SEMITISM IN URUGUAY, BUT NEED FOR
EDUCATION

Classified By: Ambassador Frank E. Baxter
for reasons 1.4 (B) and (D)

SUMMARY
-------

1. (U) Special Envoy to Combat and Monitor Anti-Semitism
Gregg Rickman and Karen Paikin visited Uruguay July 6-7, and
found few overt manifestations of anti-Semitism in the
country. The visit included meetings with Jewish community
members including Montevideo Mayor Ricardo Ehrlich, and with
the Honorary Commission Against Racism, Xenophobia, and all
forms of Discrimination. The Jewish Community reported
feeling generally free from discrimination, but stated
concerns of increased Iranian presence, declining quality of
education, and decreasing Jewish population due to low
birthrates and migration. END SUMMARY.

Strong Jewish Community
-----------------------

2. (U) The Special Envoy met with representatives from B'nai
B'rith in Uruguay, the Uruguayan Central Committee for
Israel, and other members of the Jewish Community. These
interlocutors reported that there are many Jewish leaders in
the government and that they have enjoyed support from
current and past governments. They noted no specific
instances of anti-Semitism, but pointed out that the media in
Uruguay is generally critical of Israeli policy. One
grievance is that negative comments slip into the local press
because international wire reports are used verbatim without
modifying for tone or content. Additionally, the Jewish
Community is concerned that the declining economic situation
could lead to more anti-Semitism as disenfranchised people
look for scapegoats.

Holocaust Education Controversial
---------------------------------

3. (SBU) The Ministry of Education's Director of Human
Rights, Maria Elena Martinez, included Holocaust education
under the umbrella of human rights education and mentioned it
is not part of the required curriculum. She also said that
there is limited education on slavery and genocide, including
that related to Uruguay's own African and indigenous
descendants. The GOU is currently reforming its education
system, and strong political disagreements over how to
address the human rights abuses during the military
dictatorship and by insurgent guerillas are blocking much
needed changes. The Special Envoy stated a commitment to
pursue the participation of Uruguay in the Task Force for
International Cooperation on Holocaust Education,
Remembrance, and Research, in order to facilitate Holocaust
education in the country.

4. (U) Despite being left out of the official curriculum,
there is significant informal Holocaust education including a
recent two-month exhibit attended by 35,000 people, 10,000 of
whom were high school students. The exhibit was a private
initiative but was housed at Montevideo's City Hall and
received significant public support. Additionally, the
Holocaust Memorial, prominently located in the city, was
first of its kind in South America. During the visit to the
Holocaust Memorial, however, the Special Envoy was
disappointed to see it has fallen into disrepair and suffered
the same effects of vandalism as many other parts of the
city. Note: Although we are aware of one occurrence of
anti-Semitic vandalism on the Memorial in the past,
currently, there is no evidence that the vandalism is
motivated by anti-Semitism. END NOTE. When discussed with
Mayor Ehrlich, the mayor expressed disappointment and
promised to visit the site.

Concern about Iranian-Uruguayan Relationship
--------------------------------------------

5. (SBU) Before his arrival, Special Envoy Rickman was aware
of the Jewish Community's concern about the seemingly growing
presence of Iran in the region. With the recent conviction
of Iranian nationals involved in the 2002 and 2004 bombings
of the Jewish Community Center and the Israeli Embassy in
Buenos Aires, the Jewish Community in Montevideo is acutely
conscious of the new Iranian Ambassador's visibility. Iran
is actively pursuing increased economic and political
relations with Uruguay and other countries in the region.

6. (SBU) Nevertheless, the interlocutors from the Jewish
community generally believe that the relationship is based on

trade and that Uruguay is not ideologically vulnerable to
Iranian influence. Only unfounded mentions were made to
suggest that Iran was funding anti-Israeli press and student
groups.

Comment
-------

7. (C) Overall, the Jewish Community members seemed more
concerned with the general economic situation in Uruguay than
with discrimination. The decline of the education system was
noted by all. The lack of human rights education, including
education on the Holocaust, underscored that deficiencies
exist. Given the sensitivity of education system reform, it
would be difficult and likely counterproductive for the USG
to suggest changes. Involving Uruguay in the Task Force for
International Cooperation for Holocaust Education,
Remembrance and Research, as recommended by the Special
Envoy, would be a positive step forward. END COMMENT.

8. (U) S/E Gregg Rickman cleared this message.

Baxter

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