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RELEASED IN FULL
ORIGIN WHA-00

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072616
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UNITED STATES-DEPARTMENT OF STATE
REVIEW AUTHORITY: SHARON E AHMAD DATE/CASE ID: 19 OCT 2004 200303827 UNCLASSIFIED DOS-002329

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TAGS: OPRC, KPAO
SUBJECT: WHA GUIDANCE, MARCH 18, 2003

SUMMARY OF CONTENTS:
1, PRESS STATEMENTS, MAR 18 (COLOMBIA, MEXICO)
2, WHA PRESS GUIDANCE, MAR 18 (CANADA, COLOMBIA)

3.
INL PRESS GUIDANCE, MAR 18 (COLOMBIA)

4.
IO PRESS GUIDANCE, MAR 18 (UNHRC/CUBA)
END SUMMARY.

1. PRESS STATEMENTS, MARCH 18, 2003:

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 18, 2003
2003/301
STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN

-- REGIONAL SECURITY MINISTERIAL HELD IN
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA --

THE «UNITED» «STATES» CONGRATULATES COLOMBIA AND ITS NEIGHBORS ) ECUADOR, PERU, BRAZIL, VENEZUELA, AND PANAMA ) FOR THE PROGRESS MADE DURING THE REGIONAL SECURITY MINISTERIAL HELD IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA, ON MARCH 12, 2003. WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE STATES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THIS MINISTERIAL HAVE REAFFIRMED THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.
THE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THE PARTICIPANTS REITERATES THEIR
SUPPORT FOR UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION 1373
AND 1464, AS WELL AS ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
RESOLUTION 837, WHICH CALLS ON STATES TO IMPLEMENT ENHANCED
LAW ENFORCEMENT MEASURES AND TO PROMOTE A MORE LAW-ABIDING
ENVIRONMENT.

THE DOCUMENT ALSO CALLS ON THE PARTICIPATING STATES TO MEET
PERIODICALLY TO DISCUSS COORDINATION AND THE IMPLEMENTATION
OF THE DOCUMENT. THE COOPERATION AGREED UPON BY THE
PARTICIPATING STATES WILL IMPROVE THE SECURITY AND QUALITY OF
LIFE OF THE PEOPLE OF COLOMBIA, AND OF ITS NEIGHBORS.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
OFFICE OF THE SPOKESMAN
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 18, 2003

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2003/303
STATEMENT BY RICHARD BOUCHER, SPOKESMAN
-- JOINT STATEMENT OF ENHANCED BILATERAL CLIMATE CHANGE

COOPERATION BETWEEN THE «UNITED» «STATES» AND MEXICO --
FOLLOWING IS THE TEXT OF A JOINT PRESS STATEMENT ON CLIMATE

CHANGE COOPERATION RELEASED TODAY BY THE «UNITED» «STATES» AND
MEXICO:

BEGIN TEXT:

"THE GOVERNMENTS OF MEXICO AND THE «UNITED» «STATES» TODAY
ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENTION TO EXPAND AND INTENSIFY THEIR
EXISTING BILATERAL EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CLIMATE CHANGE. THE

U.S. ALSO PRESENTED ITS CARBON SEQUESTRATION LEADERSHIP FORUM
INITIATIVE.

"BOTH COUNTRIES ANNOUNCED THEIR INTENTION TO CONTINUE
BILATERAL DIALOGUE TO DEVELOP JOINT ACTIVITIES TO COMBAT
CLIMATE CHANGE IN SUCH AREAS AS: EMISSION INVENTORIES,

ECONOMIC AND CLIMATIC MODELS, ENERGY, ADAPTATION,
AGRICULTURE/FORESTS, EARTH OBSERVATION SYSTEMS AND CARBON

SEQUESTRATION TECHNOLOGIES. SPECIFIC AREAS OF COOPERATION

WILL BE FURTHER CONSIDERED.

"BOTH DELEGATIONS AGREED TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP TO
FOLLOW UP BILATERAL COOPERATION ON THESE ISSUES.

"TALKS TOOK PLACE IN MEXICO CITY ON 17 MARCH 2003, BETWEEN
DR. HARLAN WATSON, SENIOR CLIMATE NEGOTIATOR AND SPECIAL
REPRESENTATIVE, OF THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND MRS.

PATRICIA OLAMENDI, UNDER SECRETARY FOR GLOBAL AFFAIRS OF THE
MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF MEXICO, AND OTHER SENIOR AND
TECHNICAL OFFICIALS OF BOTH GOVERNMENTS.

PARTICIPATING IN
THE TALKS ON THE U.S. SIDE WERE THE DEPARTMENTS OF
AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE/NOAA, ENERGY, AND STATE, AND THE AGENCY
FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
AGENCY. THE MEXICAN PARTICIPANTS WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM
THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY, THE ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL
RESOURCES MINISTRY, THE ENERGY MINISTRY, AS WELL AS FROM
PEMEX, THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR ENERGY CONSERVATION,
UNIVERSITIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS."

2. WHA PRESS GUIDANCE, MARCH 18, 2003:

-- CANADA: PRIME MINISTER SAYS CANADA WILL NOT SUPPORT «IRAQ»
WAR EFFORT --

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QUESTION. WHAT IS THE U.S. GOVERNMENT'S REACTION TO
STATEMENTS BY PRIME MINISTER CHRTIEN THAT CANADA WILL NOT
SUPPORT THE U.S. LED WAR AGAINST «IRAQ» IN THE ABSENCE OF
SECURITY COUNCIL AUTHORIZATION TO USE MILITARY ACTION?

A: DISARMING SADDAM HUSSEIN OF HIS WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION IS VITAL TO THE SECURITY OF THE WORLD COMMUNITY.
SADDAM HUSSEIN HAS REFUSED TO DISARM. AND AS RESOLUTION 1441
AUTHORIZES, WE ARE PREPARING REMOVE THOSE WEAPONS OF MASS
DESTRUCTION BY FORCE.

WE ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT SOME OF OUR CLOSEST ALLIES,
INCLUDING CANADA, DO NOT AGREE ON THE URGENT NEED FOR THIS
ACTION.

WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT CANADA REMAINS A CRUCIAL PARTNER IN THE
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM. CANADIAN NAVAL VESSELS, AIRCRAFT
AND MILITARY PERSONNEL PARTICIPATING IN ANTI-TERRORIST

' OPERATIONS IN THE PERSIAN GULF REGION WILL CONTINUE THEIR
DEPLOYMENTS. WE CONTINUE TO COOPERATE CLOSELY WITH THE
CANADIAN GOVERNMENT AND CANADIAN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN
PROTECTING OUR COMMON BORDER.

QUESTION: WHAT ABOUT MEXICO'S PRESIDENT FOX'S STATEMENT THAT
HE REGRETS THE U.S. ULTIMATUM?

A: WE-ARE DISAPPOINTED THAT MEXICO DOES NOT SHARE. OUR URGENT
SENSE THAT THE WORLD COMMUNITY NEEDS TO QUICKLY AND
DECISIVELY COUNTER THE THREAT «IRAQ» REPRESENTS.

WE VALUE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH MEXICO AND WILL CONTINUE TO
COOPERATE CLOSELY WITH THE MEXICAN GOVERNMENT ON A FULL RANGE
OF BILATERAL ISSUES, INCLUDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR
22-POINT BORDER ACTION PLAN.

-- COLOMBIA: U.S. PARTICIPATION IN THE REGIONAL SECURITY

MINISTERIAL HELD IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA ON MARCH 12, 2003 --

KEY POINTS TO MAKE:

THE «OWTTED» «STATES» PARTICIPATED AS AN OBSERVER AT THIS
MINISTERIAL, WHICH FOCUSED ON REGIONAL SECURITY, TERRORISM
AND DRUG TRAFFICKING.

WE WERE REPRESENTED BY ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE

FOR WESTERN HEMISPHERE AFFAIRS, CURT STRUBLE.

ACTING ASSISTANT SECRETARY STRUBLE DISCUSSED OUR COMMITMENT
TO SUPPORTING REGIONAL COOPERATION TO DEFEAT THE COMMON

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THREATS OF NARCO-TRAFFICKING AND TERRORISM.

WE ARE PLEASED BY THE SUCCESSFUL OUTCOME OF THIS MINISTERIAL,

AND WELCOME THE AGREEMENT SIGNED BY PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES,

COLOMBIA AND ITS NEIGHBORS -- ECUADOR, PERU, BRAZIL,

VENEZUELA AND PANAMA -- REAFFIRMING THEIR COMMITMENT TO

INCREASED COOPERATION IN ADDRESSING THE REGIONAL THREAT OF
DRUGS, TERRORISM, AND ARMS TRAFFICKING.

THE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY THE REPRESENTATIVES AT THE MINISTERIAL

REITERATES THE COUNTRIES, SUPPORT FOR UNITED NATIONS

SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTIONS 1373 AND 1465, AND ORGANIZATION

OF AMERICAN STATES RESOLUTION 837, WHICH CALLS ON STATES TO

IMPLEMENT ENHANCED LAW ENFORCEMENT MEASURES, AND TO PROMOTE A
MORE LAW-ABIDING ENVIRONMENT.

WE URGE THE SIGNATORIES TO IMPROVE REGIONAL COOPERATION ON
THESE ISSUES AND ENSURE THE AGREEMENT'S IMPLEMENTATION.

3. INL PRESS GUIDANCE, MARCH 18, 2003:

-- UN ESTIMATE OF COCA CULTIVATION IN COLOMBIA --

Q: WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO THE UN'S ANNOUNCEMENT THAT COCA
CULTIVATION IN COLOMBIA HAS DROPPED BY 30 PERCENT?

A: WE ARE PLEASED WITH THE UN ESTIMATE AS IT SHOWS SIMILAR
DECREASES*PARTICULARLY IN THE KEY SOUTHERN CROWING AREAS )
TO THE U.S. ESTIMATE RELEASED FEBRUARY 27 (NOTE: WE SAID THE
REDUCTION HAS BEEN 15 PERCENT). IN SHORT, THE TREND LINES
FROM THESE TWO DIFFERENT CROP ESTIMATES UNDERSCORE THE
CRITICALLY IMPORTANT COCA CROP REDUCTIONS ONGOING IN
COLOMBIA. WE THINK THESE RESULTS SUPPORT THE WISDOM OF THE
GOVERNMENT OF COLOMBIA'S COMMITTED PROGRAM OF CROP
ERADICATION AND ENDORSE OUR AGGRESSIVE PORGRAMS IN SUPPORT OF
THE COLOMBIAN NATIONAL POLICE.

Q: BUT WHY IS THE UN CROP ESTIMATE DIFFERENT FROM THE U.S.
ESTIMATE RELEASED SEVERAL WEEKS AGO?

A: THE UN CROP ESTIMATION METHODOLOGY, THOUGH PROFESSIONAL AND HELPFUL, DIFFERS SUBSTANTIALLY FROM THAT BEING USED BY THE «UNITED» «STATES» GOVERNMENT. WE THEREFORE CONTINUE TO WORK WITH AND COOPERATE AT THE TECHNICAL LEVEL WITH THE UN OFFICE
ON DRUGS AND CRIME TO NARROW THE RANGE OF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
THESE ESTIMATES.

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(IF PRESSED)

THE DIFFERENCES IN THE CROP ESTIMATES ARE ATTRIBUTABLE TO DIFFERENT METHODOLOGIES USED BY THE UN AND THE «UNITEM» «STATES» GOVERNMENT. THE UN ESTIMATED A GREATER REDUCTION IN COCA CULTIVATION BECAUSE THE UN METHODOLOGY ASSUMED THAT A
. PERCENTAGE OF THE COCA THAT WAS SPRAYED LATE IN THE YEAR,
AFTER THEIR IMAGERY WAS TAKEN, WOULD BE ERADICATED.

4. IO PRESS GUIDANCE, MARCH 18, 2003:

-- U.N. HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION: UPDATE AFTER OPENING
SESSION --

• Q: WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT OPENING STATEMENT OF THE CHAIR
OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION, WHO IS FROM LIBYA?

A: IN HER OPENING REMARKS TO THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS
ON MARCH 17TH, THE 2003 CHAIRPERSON FROM LIBYA, NAJAT
AL-HAJJAJI, REMARKED THAT DURING THE PAST YEAR, THE MIDDLE
EAST HAD NOT KNOWN PEACE, SECURITY OR STABILITY. SHE STATED
THAT THE PALESTINIAN PEOPLE WERE STILL BEING HUMILIATED,
KILLED AND DEPRIVED OF SELF-DETERMINATION AND THAT "BLACK
CLOUDS WERE ALSO GATHERING IN THE SKY OF THE REGION," OMINOUS
OF A "CATASTROPHIC WAR WHICH WOULD CERTAINLY VIOLATE ALL

HUMAN RIGHTS AND ESPECIALLY THE RIGHT TO LIFE."

IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THE LIBYAN CHAIR OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS
COMMISSION DID NOT LIMIT HER OPENING COMMENTS TO THE ISSUE OF
HUMAN RIGHTS, WHICH IS THE FOCUS OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN
RIGHTS. WE HOPE THAT THE CHAIR WILL NOT USE HER POSITION TO
MAKE INACCURATE STATEMENTS ABOUT THE «UNITED» «STATES» AND ITS
ALLIES. WE HOPE THE CHAIR WILL STAND BY HER PLEDGE TO SERVE
AS CHAIRPERSON FOR ALL MEMBERS AND OBSERVERS AT THE
COMMISSION. IN THAT REGARD, STATEMENTS ABOUT PALESTINIAN
SUFFERING SHOULD BE BALANCED BY SIMILAR REFERENCES TO ISRAELI
SUFFERING.

Q: DO WE EXPECT THE LIBYAN CHAIR OF THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN
RIGHTS TO CAUSE PROBLEMS?

A: THE U.S. AND OTHER MEMBERS OF THE UN COMMISSION ON HUMAN
RIGHTS EXPECT ANY CHAIR TO HANDLE HIS OR HER WORK FAIRLY,
EFFECTIVELY AND OBJECTIVELY. THE COMMISSION AGENDA IS KNOWN
FOR ITS MANY PROCEDURAL AND SUBSTANTIVE MOTIONS AND RELATED
ACTIONS THAT REQUIRE CLOSE ATTENTION TO DETAIL AND RULES OF
PROCEDURE. THE CHAIR IS ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE FOR HANDLING

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NEARLY 100 RESOLUTIONS AND ITEMS.
(IF ASKED) Q: WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR A
SPECIAL SITTING ON «IRAQ» AT THE COMMISSION?

A: WE DO NOT SUPPORT A SPECIAL SITTING OF THE COMMITEE ON
«IRAQ». THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION IS NOT THE FORUM FOR THIS
MATTER. THE COMMISSION SHOULD ADDRESS «IRAQ» AS IT DOES ALL
OTHER COUNTRIES, IN THE CONTEXT OF «IRAQ»'S ABUSE OF HUMAN

RIGHTS.

(IF ASKED) Q: WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE CHAIR'S STATEMENT
THAT MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CANNOT GET AFFORDABLE HIV/AIDS
MEDICINE BECAUSE PRIORITY IS GIVEN TO INDUSTRIAL AND
COMMERCIAL CONSIDERATIONS OVER HUMANITARIAN CONCERNS?

A: IF THE HIV/AIDS STATEMENT REFERS TO U.S. POLICY, THEN IT
IS INACCURATE. THE U.S. HAS WORKED DILIGENTLY AT THE WORLD
TRADE ORGANIZATION TO ENSURE THAT HIV/AIDS MEDICINES REACH
THE TRULY NEEDY. THE U.S. HAS PLEDGED NOT TO CHALLENGE ANY
WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION MEMBER THAT BREAKS A WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATION RULE TO EXPORT DRUGS PRODUCED UNDER A COMPULSORY
LICENSE TO A COUNTRY IN NEED. WE HAVE CALLED ON OTHER
COUNTRIES TO JOIN US IN THIS MORATORIUM ON DISPUTE

'SETTLEMENT..

IN ADDITION, TO MEET THE SEVERE AND URGENT
HIV/AIDS CRISIS ABROAD, PRESIDENT BUSH HAS PLEDGED TO COMMIT
15 BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO TURN THE TIDE
AGAINST THE DISEASE.

Q: .WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THE OPENING STATEMENT OF SERGIO
DE MELLO, THE HIGH COMMISSIONER ON HUMAN RIGHTS, THAT
SECURITY CONCERNS SOMETIMES LEAD TO VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS?

A: IN RESPONDING TO THREATS TO THEIR SECURITY, NATIONS NEVERTHELESS HAVE A DUTY TO COMPLY WITH THEIR OBLIGATIONS UNDER INTERNATIONAL LAW. THE U.S. IS STRONGLY COMMITTED TO PROTECTING AND ADVANCING HUMAN RIGHTS. OUR «DETAINEE» POLICY AND OUR POLICY ON FIGHTING TERRORISM ARE NOT EXCEPTIONS.
Q: WHAT IS YOUR REACTION TO STATEMENTS BY THE HIGH

COMMISSIONER THAT THE «UNITED» «STATES» WOULD BE WATCHED CLOSELY,
ESPECIALLY ITS HANDLING OF PRISONERS HELD AT GUANTANAMO?

A: THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS, SERGIO DE MELLO, DISCUSSED MANY CONCERNS IN HIS OPENING REMARKS. THE «EMITTED» «STATES» HAS OPENED OUR DETENTION FACILITY AT GUANTANAMO TO VARIOUS INSPECTIONS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. THESE «DETAAINEES» ARE HELD AS A RESULT OF ARMED CONFLICT. THE 1949 GENEVA CONVENTIONS ALLOW FOR ACCESS BY THE INTERNATIONAL
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COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (ICRC) IN SUCH CASES. FROM THE

BEGINNING OF THE DETENTION OF PRISONERS AT GUANTANAMO, THE

RED CROSS HAS CONDUCTED PERIODIC VISITS AND INTERVIEWED THESE

«DIMMJNEES». «TREATMENT» HAS BEEN HUMANE AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE PRINCIPLES OF THE GENEVA CONVENTION.

(IF ASKED) Q: WHAT IS THE U.S. RESPONSE TO THE RECENT

INAUGURATION OF THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT (ICC)?

A: WE AGREE WITH HIGH COMMISSIONER DE MELLO THAT THE SECURITY OF CIVILIANS IN WAR SHOULD BE OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. HOWEVER, THE «UNITED» «STATES», WHILE NOTING THAT THE INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT HAS BEEN INAUGURATED, PURSUES AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO BRINGING WAR CRIMINALS TO JUSTICE. ACCOUNTABILITY IS PUT WHERE IT BELONGS ) WITH STATES THEMSELVES. WE WILL CONSIDER SUPPORTING ANY STATE -POLITICALLY, FINANCIALLY, AND LOGISTICALLY - THAT CREDIBLY SEEKS TO PURSUE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATIONAL LAW.
Q: WHAT ARE THE PRIMARY GOALS OF THE U.S. AT THE UN
COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS?

A: THE PRIMARY GOAL OF THE «UNITED» «STATES» IS TO ADVANCE THE COMMISSION'S LONG-TERM CREDIBILITY AND RELEVANCE AS THE WORLD'S PREMIER HUMAN RIGHTS FORUM. THIS YEAR, WE ARE PROMOTING REFORM MEASURES THAT ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THE COMMISSION FOCUS ON THE PROTECTION AND PROMOTION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL FREEDOMS EMBODIED IN THE UN CHARTER AND THE UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.
WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMISSION; IT

IS INCREASINGLY COMPOSED OF COUNTRIES WITH POOR HUMAN RIGHTS

RECORDS. THIS YEAR, 19 OF 53 MEMBERS HAVE EXTREMELY POOR

HUMAN RIGHTS RECORDS. THE COMMISSION IS PERVERSELY BECOMING
A SAFE HAVEN FOR COUNTRIES SEEKING TO JOIN IN ORDER TO AVOID

INTERNATIONAL SCRUTINY AND TO SUBVERT THE COMMISSION.

LIBYA'S ELECTION TO THE COMMISSION CHAIR IS ESPECIALLY

EGREGIOUS.

WE ARE GOING INTO THE COMMISSION ADVOCATING THAT IT MUST HAVE
MEMBERS WITH RESPECTABLE HUMAN RIGHTS RECORDS TO PRESERVE ITS

LONG-TERM CREDIBILITY AND RELEVANCE AS THE WORLD'S PREMIER

HUMAN RIGHTS BODY.

WE ARE ALSO SUPPORTING AND PUSHING FOR THE COMMISSION TO
ADOPT A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT RESOLUTIONS PERTAINING TO HUMAN
RIGHTS PRACTICES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT COUNTRIES. WE ARE
CLOSELY ENGAGED WITH THE EUROPEANS ON A NUMBER OF

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RESOLUTIONS, SUCH AS CONDEMNING SOME OF THE WORST HUMAN

RIGHTS OFFENDERS, INCLUDING CUBA, «IRAQ» AND NORTH KOREA. WITH
THE EU WE ARE JOINTLY SPONSORING A RESOLUTION ON
TURKMENISTAN. WE WILL ALSO SUPPORT A RESOLUTION ON ZIMBABWE

AND LOOK FORWARD TO A STRONG RESOLUTION ON SUDAN. THE U.S.
IS ALSO PUTTING FORWARD ITS OWN RESOLUTION ON BELARUS, DUE TO
THE REPORTS WE HAVE BEEN RECEIVING ABOUT A NUMBER OF
POLITICALLY MOTIVATED DETENTIONS AND ARRESTS THERE.

Q: WHY ISN'T THE U.S. SPONSORING A RESOLUTION ON CHINA THIS
YEAR?

A: WE HAVE NOT YET MADE A FINAL DECISION ON A CHINA
RESOLUTION. THE U.S. IS ENGAGING AT A VERY SENIOR LEVEL WITH
CHINA ON ITS HUMAN RIGHTS POLICIES ON ISSUES LIKE
IMPRISONMENT OF POLITICAL DISSIDENTS, FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND
BELIEF, AND TORTURE AND «MREATAUMW). OF ETHNIC MINORITIES. IN
FEBRUARY, SECRETARY POWELL WENT TO BEIJING TO DISCUSS OUR
CONCERN OVER CHINA'S BACKSLIDING ON HUMAN RIGHTS SINCE THE
U.S./CHINA HUMAN RIGHTS DIALOGUE DECEMBER 16-18, 2002.

Q: WILL THE U.S. SUPPORT A RESOLUTION ON CUBA THIS YEAR?

A: WE EXPECT THAT A RESOLUTION REGARDING CUBA WILL BE INTRODUCED AND WE PLAN TO SUPPORT IT. CUBA MUST BE BROUGHT TO TASK FOR ITS FAILURE TO ADHERE TO LAST YEAR'S RESOLUTION, WHICH CALLED FOR THE VISIT OF THE HIGH COMMISSIONER'S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE TO CUBA AND FOR THE CONTINUING DETERIORATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ON THE ISLAND. POWELL
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