US embassy cable - 05KUWAIT3457

C O N F I D E N T I A L KUWAIT 003457 
 
SIPDIS 
 
FOR NEA/ARPI AND IO/SHA 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/08/2015 
TAGS: PHUM, PREL, PGOV, KU, UNGA, HURI, UN 
SUBJECT: KUWAIT:  DEMARCHE DELIVERED ON UN HUMAN RIGHTS 
COUNCIL 
 
REF: A. STATE 140192 
     B. KUWAIT 2777 
     C. STATE 114051 
 
Classified By: Ambassador Richard LeBaron for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). 
 
1.  (SBU)  PolChief delivered August 3 ref A demarche on 
creating a new UN Human Rights Council to Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs International Organizations Director Ambassador 
Abdullah Al-Murad.  Al-Murad did not elaborate on Kuwait's 
position -- PolChief left an Arabic version of the points 
with him for further review -- but proffered that most 
countries were fearful of the concept and skeptical about the 
Council's goals.  Referring to the annual U.S. Human Rights 
Report, he said most nations did not want to be scrutinized 
by yet another body.  Drawing from ref A, PolChief replied 
the intent was not to shame other countries, rather to create 
a body that could act quickly and effectively to human rights 
concerns.  Al-Murad promised to study the points. 
 
2.  (C)  Al-Murad commented that some unspecified European 
governments had approached him on creating the Human Rights 
Council.  He wanted to know if there was a coordinated 
demarche effort between the U.S. and European capitals.  He 
also wanted to know if a draft resolution on establishing the 
Council was available.  Per ref A, PolChief directed Al-Murad 
to UNGA President Ping's outcome document.  Al-Murad gave the 
distinct impression that he preferred to respond to an actual 
proposal rather than discuss a concept. 
LEBARON