Cablegate: Chilean Response to Usg Unga Third Committee and Goldstone

VZCZCXYZ0003
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHSG #0895 3081926
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 041926Z NOV 09
FM AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0232
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0004
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0004
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000895

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PTER IS CI KPAL
SUBJECT: Chilean Response to USG UNGA Third Committee and Goldstone
Report Concerns

REF: STATE 109397; STATE 112828

UNGA Third Committee

-------------------------------

1. (SBU) Poloff and Canadian Second Secretary Meghan Pelton
jointly delivered Ref A demarche on UNGA Third Committee priorities
to MFA Human Rights Deputy Director Gerardo Ateaga on November 4.
Ateaga made the following observations about Chile's priorities and
positions in the Third Committee:

--Chile consistently opposes no-action motions because they stifle
debate of important issues.

--Chile will support country-specific resolutions on Iran, Burma,
and DPRK. Chile is particularly concerned about the plight of
Bahais in Iran, and would like to see language specifically
addressing anti-Bahai discrimination and freedom of religion in the
Iran resolution.

--Ateaga was unfamiliar with the biennial U.S. elections resolution
and would appreciate more information in Spanish about this
resolution.

--Ateaga was pleased to hear that the U.S. would be working to find
common ground on the Rights of the Child resolution and was eager
to be supportive of these efforts.

--Chile recently shifted its position on the defamation of
religions issue. In the past, Chile has abstained on such votes.
Last month, Chile voted no on a defamations of religions resolution
at the UN Human Rights Council--the first time Chile has cast a no
vote on this issue. This change was motivated by concerns that the
issue is structured specifically to protect Islam and not other
religions. Chile plans to vote against the resolution in the Third
Committee.

Goldstone Report

-----------------------

2. (SBU) Poloff also delivered Ref B points about the Goldstone
Report to Ateaga on November 4. Ateaga agreed with USG concerns
that efforts to have the UNGA refer the matter to another
body--such as the International Court of Justice or the
International Criminal Court--would overstep the Assembly's
authority. Chile also opposes encouraging the convocation of
parties to the Fourth Geneva Convention. However, Chile is not
opposed to language which would endorse or welcome the report, and
noted that efforts are underway to find compromise language which
is positive about the report but falls short of "fully endorsing"
the report. Chile has not yet decided how it will vote on a
resolution. Ultimately, the decision will depend on the final text
of the resolution and will be a political decision, likely made by
MFA Undersecretary Alberto Van Klaveren. Ateaga agreed to share
USG concerns with Van Klaveren.
SIMONS

© Scoop Media