ARGENTINA'S RESPONSE TO USG OBJECTIVES FOR 4TH SESSION OF UNHRC

UNCLASSIFIED UNCLAS BUENOS AIRES 000447 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR IO/RHS AND DRL/MLGA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL, PHUM, UNHRC-1, HUMAN SUBJECT: ARGENTINA'S RESPONSE TO USG OBJECTIVES FOR 4TH SESSION OF UNHRC REF: SECSTATE 26833 (SBU) A/POLCOUNS delivered reftel demarche to Third Secretary Alexis Am of the MFA's Directorate for Human Rights SIPDIS (DHR), as all other officials were attending an MFA sponsored, DHR-orgnanized, seminar commemorating the role international activists played in exposing the human rights abuses of the Argentine military regime. Mr. Am noted U.S. concerns and stated that, generally speaking, Argentina supports calling attention to the human rights situation in Burma and Sudan and is currently considering what are the best steps to address the situation in both countries. Regarding country-specific mandates, Am stated that the GOA is open to the possibility of reviewing and ending the mandates of country-specific Special Rapporteurs should the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) decide, on a consensual basis, that the mandate has been completed. On blocking efforts to make Israel a permanent UNHRC agenda item, he did not indicate whether the GOA would support such efforts, but stated that Argentina strives for a "balanced position" given the large Jewish and Arab communities in Argentina. Mr. Am was not aware of previous USG-GOA discussions in Geneva about the possibility of tabling a resolution protecting freedom of expression and promoting true freedom of religion to counter the OIC-sponsored resolution on "defamation of religion". He stated that he would check with Argentina's Mission to Geneva and get back to A/POLCOUNS with a reply. Post will follow up with the MFA and report any additional information septel. WAYNE