INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Rokg Requests Usg Support for Re-Election to Human

Published: Tue 29 Apr 2008 08:37 AM
VZCZCXYZ0013
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHUL #0878/01 1200837
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 290837Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY SEOUL
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9632
INFO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0510
UNCLAS SEOUL 000878
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KS PHUM PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: ROKG REQUESTS USG SUPPORT FOR RE-ELECTION TO HUMAN
RIGHTS COUNCIL
REF: A. 2007 SEOUL 2042
B. 2007 SEOUL 2735
C. 2007 SEOUL 3022
D. 2007 SEOUL 3326
E. 2008 SEOUL 561
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade has
written to the Secretary of State to request that the USG
support the ROKG's re-election to the UN Human Rights Council
(HRC) for the 2008-2011 term at the UN General Assembly in
May (see text below). Recommendation: Post supports the
request, noting the ROKG's willingness to use it membership
on the HRC to call attention to North Korean human rights
issues, as well as its conscientious attention to other
global human rights issues, and noting that the ROKG has
recently supported USG candidates for UN positions (reftels).
END SUMMARY.
2. (SBU) Begin text of FM Yu's letter to Secretary Rice:
April 12, 2008
Excellency:
I have the honour to refer to the candidature of the Republic
of Korea for re-election to the UN Human Rights Council for
the 2008-2011 period, the elections for which will be held
during the 62nd UN General Assembly Session in May 2008.
Over the last six decades, the Republic of Korea has
constantly endeavoured to firmly establish its international
standing as a thriving democracy as well as a human rights
advocate. It is fully committed to contributing to the
promotion and protection of human rights.
In particular, as a first-term Human Rights Council member,
the Republic of Korea has played a constructive role in
establishing the institutional basis for the Council. It
hopes to continue to participate in the enhancement of human
rights and fundamental freedoms as well as in the development
of the Council.
In this regard, it would be highly appreciated if your
esteemed government could render its valuable support for the
candidature of the Republic of Korea to the Human Rights
Council.
Accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest
consideration.
Yu, Myung-hwan
Her Excellency
Condoleezza Rice,
Secretary of State,
United States of America,
Washington, D.C.
End text of letter.
3. (SBU) Begin text of April 25, 2008 Diplomatic Note:
OIG - 122
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of
Korea presents its compliments to the Embassy of the United
States of America and has the honour to inform the latter
that the Republic of Korea is standing for re-election to the
UN Human Rights Council for the term 2008-2011 at the
elections to be held during the 62nd Session of the UN
General Assembly in May 2008.
The Ministry takes this opportunity to enclose a copy of the
letter from His Excellency, Yu, Myung-hwan, Minister of
Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of Korea addressed
to Her Excellency, Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of State of
the United States of America, seeking support for the
candidature of the Republic of Korea to the Human Rights
Council.
The Government of the Republic of Korea would highly
appreciate the valuable support of the Government of the
United States of America for the candidature of the ROK to
the Human Rights Council.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the Republic of
Korea avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the
Embassy of the United States of America the assurances of its
highest consideration.
April 25, 2008
MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE SEOUL, KOREA
End text of Diplomatic Note.
VERSHBOW
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media