Cablegate: Argentina to Support Unesco Holocaust Remembrance

VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBU #1477 2121855
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 311855Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8785
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0161

UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 001477

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

IO FOR KELLY SIEKMAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNESCO AR
SUBJECT: ARGENTINA TO SUPPORT UNESCO HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE
RESOLUTION

REF: A. SECSTATE 99971
B. 7/24/07 SIEKMAN-GOMEZ E-MAIL

1. On July 24, poloff delievered ref A points to MFA
Director for Human Rights Federico Villegas Beltran, who also
serves as the MFA's focal point for Holocaust issues.
Villegas Beltran stated that Argentina will support, but not
co-sponsor the UNESCO Holocaust resolution. He explained
that given that Argentina is not a member of UNESCO's
Executive Council, the GOA must carefully consider which
resolution it should sponsor and this takes time. He added
that Argentina's Mission has instruction to request the
microphone to publicly express support for the resolution.

2. Per ref B, poloff followed-up with Third Secretary Alexis
Am of the MFA's Human Rights Office and informed him that the
Department will be running this resolution at the General
Conference rather than the Executive Board, meaning that
there is more time for countries to consider co-sponsorship.
Am indicated that this may give the GOA more time to consider
co-sponsorship; however, the MFA would have to review the
issue carefully before it makes any commitment beyond
supporting the resolution.
WAYNE

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