Cablegate: Mauritius to Consider Prisoner of Conscience

VZCZCXYZ0002
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHPL #0127 1141032
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231032Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT LOUIS
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3948
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0147

UNCLAS PORT LOUIS 000127

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

DRL/MLGA FOR DANIKA WALTERS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EUN PHUM PREL
SUBJECT: MAURITIUS TO CONSIDER PRISONER OF CONSCIENCE
POINTS AT UN MISSION LEVEL

REF: A. SECSTATE 40380
B. PORT LOUIS 93

1. Post delivered reftel A demarche to First Secretary of
Multilateral Affairs, Rabindranath Sawmy, Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, International Trade and Cooperation, on April 22.
Sawmy admitted having no prior knowledge of the subject of
Prisoners of Conscience, but quickly gained understanding
during the demarche as he took Poloff's general description
of the issue and preemptively cited Burma as a specific
country example of where such prisoners may be held. (Note:
The human rights situation in Burma is the only country
specific situation within the last year in which Mauritius
has taken a public stand. See Reftel B for reference to
Mauritian policy on country specific resolutions)

2. Sawmy assured Poloff that he would send the draft joint
US - EU resolution, along with notes from reftel A delivered
talking points, to the Mauritian UN mission in New York. He
further encouraged that the relevant US counterpart directly
contact Minister Dhalladoo, Minister Counselor, Mauritian UN
Mission anytime before the declaration is issued in the
General Assembly. Dhalladoo can be reached by email:
mauritius@un.int or phone: (212) 949-0190.
RYDE

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