Wikileaks - DCCXLVIII
108271 5/15/2007 12:51 07BUCHAREST554 Embassy Bucharest CONFIDENTIAL 07STATE63345 VZCZCXYZ0294 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHBM #0554 1351251 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 151251Z MAY 07 FM AMEMBASSY BUCHAREST TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6626 INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0387 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0140 C O N F I D E N T I A L BUCHAREST 000554
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
TO UNDER SECRETARY BURNS FROM THE AMBASSADOR; ALSO STATE FOR IO/RHS, DRL/MLGA, EUR/PGI
E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/14/2017 TAGS: PHUM, PREL, UNHRC, RO SUBJECT: ASSESSMENT OF ROMANIA ON UNHRC ELECTION
REF: A. STATE 63345
B. 2006 BUCHAREST 1741
Classified By: Ambassador Nicholas F. Taubman for reasons 1.4(b)(d).
1. (C) In my estimation, Romania will not support Belarus's bid for a seat on the UN Human Rights Council. That said, Romania will not/not take an overtly visible role to block Belarus unless it can do so as a footnote in support of U.S. or preferably an agreed European Union position. While Romania agrees with the general U.S. position on Belarus (as reported ref. b) and will likely instruct its diplomats to make any intervention along those lines as required, Romania will also try to avoid over-exposure. Romania's support for a possible Bosnian and Slovenian candidacy will be tied to a coordinated EU position.
2. (C) On issues that do not directly impact Romania's national security interests like this one, Romania's public posturing will be nuanced so as not to antagonize some members of the non-aligned movement mainly from the Middle East and Asia with whom Romania continues to maintain positive historical relationships. Romania is keen to maintain positive relationships with certain members of the non-aligned movement that at times have been antagonistic to what some members may describe as U.S. paternalism ) Iran is an example. In the GOR's estimation, it would like to play &honest broker8 to help resolve conflicts of interest especially between the U.S. and other NAM members; a role that still has historical resonance in Bucharest. Belarus, on the other hand, is not an issue that would require an honest broker, however, it is also highly unlikely that any of the &swing votes8 identified in ref A would have any leverage to affect Romanian thinking or vice versa. TAUBMAN
