Cablegate: Sag Welcomes Bilateral Rights Dialogue for Early

VZCZCXRO7049
RR RUEHDU RUEHJO
DE RUEHSA #2259 2901205
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 161205Z OCT 08
FM AMEMBASSY PRETORIA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6017
INFO RUEHTN/AMCONSUL CAPE TOWN 6127
RUEHDU/AMCONSUL DURBAN 0267
RUEHJO/AMCONSUL JOHANNESBURG 8475

UNCLAS PRETORIA 002259

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM SF
SUBJECT: SAG WELCOMES BILATERAL RIGHTS DIALOGUE FOR EARLY
2009

REF: A. STATE 108422
B. PRETORIA 2094

1. DFA Chief Director for Human Rights and Humanitarian
Affairs Pitso Montwedi thanked Washington for its response
(Ref A) to his inquiry (Ref B) regarding the scheduling of
the next USG-SAG annual human rights consultations. Montwedi
understood the USG could not fit the meetings into 2008, and
he was amenable to holding them in early 2009, e.g. in late
January after the U.S. inauguration. The SAG will host, in
Pretoria. Montwedi said his team would initiate planning
meetings with Emboffs in the coming weeks. In the meantime
he would check with DFA colleagues to learn of any progress
on last year's recommendation for South Africa to facilitate
and advise on USG assistance in troubled spots elsewhere in
Africa.

LA LIME

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