Cablegate: Costa Rica to Abstain On Vote On "Defamation of Religions"

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DE RUEHSJ #0983 3382211
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 042211Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0097
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0003
RUEHSJ/AMEMBASSY SAN JOSE

UNCLAS SAN JOSE 000983

SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM UN UNGA CS
SUBJECT: COSTA RICA TO ABSTAIN ON VOTE ON "DEFAMATION OF RELIGIONS"

REF: 09 STATE 122639
A. REF A: STATE 109397 UNGA 3C PRIORITIES CABLE B. REF B: STATE XXX
AD HOC COMMITTEE CABLE

1. (SBU) Costa Rica will abstain from the upcoming vote at the
United Nations on the "Defamation of Religions" resolution. Costa
Rican MFA Director of Foreign Policy Alejandro Solano told us that
the GOCR sees serious problems with the resolution, and believes it
is much too restrictive. The GOCR is concerned about the
persecution of minority religions in Muslim countries, and believes
that each state has a responsibility to promote tolerance and
intercultural dialogue .

2. (SBU) However, according to Solano the GOCR will not vote
against the resolution because they want to recognize the
underlying problem that the Arab bloc is trying to address-that of
"islamaphobia". Solano believed the GOCR's abstention would signal
their condemnation of anti-Muslim discrimination, and their
willingness to work with others on finding a durable solution to
this issue.
BRENNAN

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