US embassy cable - 04SANAA2861

C O N F I D E N T I A L SANAA 002861 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2014 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, DEMARCHE, HUMAN RIGHTS 
SUBJECT: ACTION TAKEN: DEMARCHE ON THIRD COMMITTEE 
RESOLUTIONS DELIVERED 
 
REF: SECSTATE 236869 
 
1. (U) On November 9 Pol/Econoff delivered reftel demarche to 
MFA diplomatic attach Selwa al-Rifai.  Rifai said that due 
to the Eid holidays no one was available to give an 
indication as to how ROYG would vote on the resolutions. 
 
2. (C) Rifai stated that while Yemen supports Human Rights 
resolutions, it is reluctant to interfere in the internal 
affairs of other nations.  This comment echoed statements 
made by the ROYG delegation to the Third Committee in 2001 
where it noted that politicizing human rights issues and 
interfering with the internal affairs of nations was against 
its principals.  Rifai added that ROYG would likely have a 
different approach in dealing with Muslim nations although 
she was not specific as to how. 
 
3. (U) The ROYG has been "absent" in the Third Committee when 
votes concerning the human rights situation in Turkemnistan, 
Iran and Sudan were before the committee.  There are no 
indications that ROYG stance has changed.  Post predicts that 
the ROYG will likely abstain or be absent from votes on 
resolutions involving Iran, Sudan and Turkmenistan.  ROYG 
will also likely abstain from a vote on Belarus and Zimbabwae. 
 
4. (U) Rifai noted that all points will be forwarded to the 
ROYG UN Mission Head in New York for review and action.  Post 
will keep Department informed of any new developments. 
KRAJESKI