Cablegate: Rok Leaning Toward Including Russia, Nigeria,

VZCZCXYZ0009
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHUL #2241 2060819
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 250819Z JUL 07
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5701
INFO RUEHBJ/AMEMBASSY BEIJING 2877
RUEHKO/AMEMBASSY TOKYO 2988
RUEHMO/AMEMBASSY MOSCOW 8171

UNCLAS SEOUL 002241

SIPDIS

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PLEASE PASS TO G, DRL/MLGA, IO/RHS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV KDEM UNGA
SUBJECT: ROK LEANING TOWARD INCLUDING RUSSIA, NIGERIA,
VENEZUELA AT CD MINISTERIAL

REF: SECSTATE 98670

1. (SBU) On July 18, poloff delivered reftel points to Jang
Hyun-cheol, Deputy Director of MOFAT's Human Rights and
Social Affairs Division. On July 23, Jang replied that,
while the ROK agrees with the USG's views concerning the
state of democracy in Russia, Venezuela, and Nigeria, the ROK
believes that their inclusion in the Community of Democracies
Ministerial might encourage positive change in these states.
Jang, however, explained that an official decision has yet to
be reached. Jang indicated that the ROK has been silent on
previous discussions of Taiwan's participation, and will
likely remain so on future Taiwan inclusion discussions.

2. (SBU) In the coming days, post will contact MOFAT at a
higher level and again urge the ROKG to refrain from breaking
the June consensus.
STANTON

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