This State Department cable is to assist the U.S. Mission in Geneva in addressing a report by the Acting U.N. High Commissioner on Human Rights that was critical of the U.S. role, action in Iraq and the U.S. commitment to its international obligations during time of war and the rules of engagement. The cable instructs the U.S. representative to communicate the following: 1) The U.S. takes seriously its obligations under applicable international law, including the Third and Fourth Geneva Conventions and relevant resolutions of the Security Council; 2) There are vague allegations [of abuse] that do not provide sufficient information such as date and location in order to allow full investigation; and 3) we wish to inform you that U.S. will review the recommendations and respond as appropriate as soon as possible
e 4
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
( op)
Yvette M Wong 08/19/2004 05:00:58 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results RELEASED IN FULL
Cable Text:
TED8546
ORIGIN 10-00
AID-00APERC-00 SRPP-00 VC-00A
TEDE-00 L-00A
INFO LOG-00AINL-00AH-00
VCE-00 NEA-00 NSAE-00 NSCE-00 OIC-00
OIG-00ASP-00APRM-00A
NIMA-00 PA-00ASS-00ADRL-00
SAS-00A/00012
SWCI-00A
129201
SOURCE: CBLEXCLS.007873
DRAFTED BY: IO/SHA:SMEHRAA
06/10/2004 647-2506
APPROVED BY: IO:MLAGON
IO/SHA:TJOHNSON - OK
DRL: MKOZAK - OK
L/HRR:GBRANCATO - OK
NEA: AJOST - OK
PRM:MPOLLACK - OK
NSC: SHODGKINSON -OK
2D4ECS 1021422 /38
0 102141Z JUN 04
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE
INFO USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE
CPA BAGHDAD IMMEDIATE 2873
CONFIDENTIALSTATE 129201
E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/10/2014
TAGS: PHUM, UNHRC-1, IZ
SUBJECT: IRAQ: INTERIM RESPONSE TO ACTING HIGH
COMMISSIONER'S HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT
Classified By: A/S Kim R. Holmes, reasons 1.4 (b/d)
1. This is an action request. Reftel requested that
Department provide a rsponse to the A/HCHR report on human
rights in Iraq. Reftel requested that response indicate U.S.
intent to investigate and respond to the alleged violations
of human rights mentioned in the report, stressing that the
U.S. takes seriously its obligations under applicable
international law. Mission is requested to deliver a letter,
using the text in paragraph 2, to A/HCHR Ramcharan, signed by
Ambassador Moley.
2. Begin text of letter:
Complimentary opening,
The United States has carefully reviewed your report, "The
Present Situation of Human Rights in Iraq," dated June 4,
2004. I wish to assure you that it is the intent of my
government to investigate and respond to the alleged
violations of human rights mentioned in the report. The U.S.
takes seriously its obligations under applicable
international law, including the Third and Fourth Geneva
Conventions and relevant resolutions of the Security Council.
To this end we are in a better position to investigate and
respond if we have more information about allegations that
are currently vague and unsubstantiated.
Allegations raised by Iraqis interviewed in Jordan do not
include information as to the time, place, people involved,
and other details of the alleged events. For example, page 13
of the report includes reference to "an Iraqi driver" killed
by coalition forces; "a father and son driving on a national
road" and fired upon; and coalition forces firing on "some
burglars" and bystanders, with no further information
provided about the incidents. There are several other vague
allegations that do not provide sufficient information such
as date and location in order to allow full investigation.
CONFIDENTIAL
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF STATE REVIEW AUTHORITY: FRANK E SCHMELZER
UNCLASSIFIED DOS-000512
DATE/CASE ID: 10 DEC 2004 200303827
UNCLASSIFIED
CONFIDENTIAL
We anticipate that we will shortly be requesting your office to provide additional details of several incidents in the report, so that these alleged violations can be properly investigated.
In addition, while noting that many of the report's
recommendations are addressed to the Iraqi Interim
Government, we wish to inform you that U.S. will review the
recommendations and respond as appropriate as soon as
possible.
We take note of your office,s unyielding commitment to the
promotion and protection of human rights and remain open to
the scrutiny of appropriate organizations and authorities,
including that of the ICRC and the Iraqi Ministry of Human
Rights.
Complimentary close,
End letter text.
POWELL
NNNN
End Cable Text
Yvette M Wong 08/1912004 05:00:58 PM From DB/Inbox: Search Results
CONFIDENTIAL
UNd,ASSIFIED DOS-000513