Cablegate: Colombia to Oppose Iran No Action Motion On Human

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FOR DRL/MLGA LYNN SICADE, ALYSON GRUNDER

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV PHUM CO
SUBJECT: COLOMBIA TO OPPOSE IRAN NO ACTION MOTION ON HUMAN
RIGHTS IN UN THIRD COMMITTEE

REF: A. STATE 118278
B. BOGOTA 4120

1. (SBU) On November 12 and 13, Post delivered all points in
reftel to Director of U.S. and Canadian Affairs Patricia
Cortes and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Adriana Mejia,
urging a review of previous GOC policy to abstain on no
action motions. Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Adriana
Mejia told us on November 20 that the GOC would oppose the
Iran and other no action motions on specific country human
rights resolutions in UN Third Committee.

2. (SBU) Mejia said the GOC decision--taken only after a
difficult analysis by Foreign Minister Jaime
Bermudez--represented a major departure from Colombia's
traditional policy of abstention on no action motions.
Colombia made the change to be more consistent with its own
position of openness towards international scrutiny on human
rights issues. Mejia said the GOC took the decision knowing
that Colombia may face a serious risk of retaliation from
Iran and others as a result of the policy change.

BROWNFIELD

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