Cablegate: Demarche Delivered: Vietnam Urged Not to Support

VZCZCXRO5421
OO RUEHHM
DE RUEHHI #1248 3120909
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 070909Z NOV 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8704
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH PRIORITY 5275
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0242

UNCLAS HANOI 001248

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/MLGA, IO/RHS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL PHUM PGOV VM
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: VIETNAM URGED NOT TO SUPPORT
NON-ACTION MOTIONS ON IRAN, BURMA, AND DPRK

1. (SBU) In a November 7 discussion, the MFA International
Organizations officer responsible for UN Third Committee
and human rights issues, Phung Thi Lan Huong, said that
while Vietnam as a matter of principle remains firmly
opposed to country-specific resolutions, she would pass
along our strong recommendation that Vietnam vote against
-- or at least abstain, or not be present during --
no-action motions on Iran, Burma, and the DPRK.

2. (SBU) In delivering reftel points, Deputy PolCouns
emphasized the egregious nature of human rights violations
in all three countries, noting, per reftel, that the Iran
resolution was a particular priority. He also stressed
that as a procedural matter, the use of no-action motions
itself represents a serious problem, since their sole
purpose is to stifle debate.
MICHALAK

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