Cablegate: China and Defamation of Religion Resolutions

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OO RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHBJ #3415 3551059
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 211059Z DEC 09
FM AMEMBASSY BEIJING
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 7322
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 2267
RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE

UNCLAS BEIJING 003415

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL KISL KDEM PGOV OPDC CH
SUBJECT: CHINA AND DEFAMATION OF RELIGION RESOLUTIONS

REF: A. STATE 128320 (NOTAL)
B. USUN 1129 (NOTAL)

1. (SBU) Our concerns over the free speech implications of
the OIC "defamation of religions" resolution will have little
resonance with Chinese leaders. China's regional and
bilateral interests with certain OIC member states also make
it unlikely that the PRC will publicly back the U.S. counter
initiative. The OIC-sponsored proposal is, in fact, unlikely
to come to the attention of Chinese leadership and, absent a
high-level policy decision, the Chinese mission in New York
is highly unlikely to reverse its previous record of voting
in favor of the resolution.

2. (SBU) The International Organizations and Conferences
Department Human Rights Affairs Division of the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs told us, predictably, that China is "aware of
the controversy" surrounding this issue but prefers that "all
sides reach consensus through negotiations" in order to
"address the interests of all parties." In this context we
believe there is little likelihood that the PRC will be
responsive to diplomatic pressure to change its existing
position on the resolution.
GOLDBERG

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