Cablegate: Egypt's Views On Unga Third Committee Resolutions

VZCZCXYZ0006
PP RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #3153 3021358
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 291358Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7318

UNCLAS CAIRO 003153

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

STATE FOR IO AND DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KTIA PHUM PREL UN EG
SUBJECT: EGYPT'S VIEWS ON UNGA THIRD COMMITTEE RESOLUTIONS

REF: STATE 145641

1. (SBU) Summary: Poloffs met with MFA Deputy Minister for
Human Rights Affairs Wael Aboulmagd on October 29 to discuss
reftel points. Aboulmagd said that Egypt generally does not
support prohibitions on "no-action motions" or country
specific resolutions. On the thematic resolutions, Aboulmagd
said the MFA is now reviewing information it has on the draft
resolutions and will respond more fully, but offered limited
comments on the resolutions on rape as an instrument of state
policy, defamation of religion, and the death penalty. End
Summary.

2. (SBU) No-Action Motions/Country Specific Resolutions:
Aboulmagd advised that Egypt generally works as part of
country groups at UNGA, and is therefore constrained by group
positions. According to Aboulmagd, such positions are
generally hostile to prohibitions on "no action motions" and
country specific resolutions. Aboumagd also said that Egypt
opposes the singling out of specific countries and its
default position is to oppose country specific resolutions.

3. (SBU) Rape as an Instrument of State Policy: Aboulmagd
said he had heard that the draft resolution condemning rape
as an instrument of state policy was narrowly focused and
appeared targeted at specific conflicts. He commented that
minor revisions might make the resolution more broadly
applicable and more likely to win wide support.

4. (SBU) Defamation of Religion: Aboulmagd disagreed that
previous Organization of Islamic Conference sponsored
resolutions singled out Islam for special protection. He also
said that an effort to create special protections for Islam
would be contrary to Egyptian law.

5. (SBU) EU Death Penalty Resolution: The EU draft resolution
calling for a moratorium on the death penalty is problematic
for Egypt. Aboulmagd said that because the death penalty has
its source in Sharia law, any attempt to ban it would be
extremely difficult. Aboulmagd added, however, that Egypt
might be able to support some elements of the resolution.

RICCIARDONE

© Scoop Media