Cablegate: Latvian Pressure On Iran Re: Human Rights

VZCZCXRO9661
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHRA #0065 0401203
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 091203Z FEB 10
FM AMEMBASSY RIGA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6282
INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUCNIRA/IRAN COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS RIGA 000065

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT PASS TO NEA/IR, DRL, P
DEPT ALSO PASS TO NSC

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL IR LG
SUBJECT: LATVIAN PRESSURE ON IRAN RE: HUMAN RIGHTS

REF: SECSTATE 12108

1. (SBU) We delivered reftel demarche to Agnese Vilde of the MFA's
Human Rights Policy Division. Vilde said that Latvia is deeply
concerned about the human rights situation in Iran. Latvia has and
will continue to speak against the deteriorating situation in Iran.
The MFA's Political Director has demarched the Iranian Ambassador
(resident in Stockholm) on the topic of human rights. Vilde added
that many EU countries have demarched Iran regarding human rights
over the past few months. Latvia has no plans for a national public
statement regarding Iran but has endorsed the recent joint US-EU
statement.

2. (SBU) Regarding Iran's efforts to obtain a seat on the UN Human
Rights Council, Vilde said that the EU will have a common position
on this vote and the official decision has not yet been made.
GARBER

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