VZCZCXYZ0018
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHC #4390 3402304
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 062245Z DEC 07
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0000
INFO RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0000

UNCLAS STATE 164390 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AORC UN UNGA KWMN SOCI
SUBJECT: INSTRUCTIONS -- UNGA SECOND COMMITTEE RESOLUTION 
ON "WOMEN IN DEVELOPMENT." 
 
¶1.  Action on "Women in Development" is expected either on 
Thursday, December 6 or Friday, December 7. 
 
¶2.  Paragraphs of concern. 
 
 
-- PP 2 reaffirms the outcomes of the Beijing Conference on 
Women and its five-year follow-up sessions. 
 
-- PP 5 contains the term "sexual and reproductive health." 
 
-- PP 11 begins with "Recognizing further, in this context, 
the importance of respect for all human rights, including the 
right to development ...". 
 
-- OP 21 reiterates the language of subparagraph 57(g) of the 
World Summit Outcome Document. 
 
 
¶3.  Instructions for USDEL.  Mission should join consensus on 
the resolution with an Explanation of Position.  Mission can 
draw on the following points for the U.S. Statement. 
 
 
BEGIN POINTS. 
 
 
For PP 2, PP 5, and OP 21. 
 
-- The U.S. understands that there is international consensus 
that none of the wording in this resolution creates any 
rights and, in particular, does not create or recognize a 
right to abortion.  The wording cannot be interpreted to 
constitute support, endorsement, or promotion of abortion or 
the use of abortifacients. 
 
 
For PP 11. 
 
-- The U.S. understands that PP 11 does not imply that States 
must implement obligations under human rights instruments to 
which they are not a Party.  Of course, the U.S. joins in the 
call for full and urgent implementation by States of 
obligations under instruments to which they are Parties. 
 
-- Moreover, the U.S. understands the term "right to 
development" to mean that each individual should enjoy the 
right to develop his or her own intellectual or other 
capacities to the maximum extent possible through the 
exercise of the full range of civil and political rights. 
 
 
For OP 21. 
 
-- OP 21 reiterates the language of subparagraph 57(g) of the 
World Summit Outcome Document.  Unfortunately, the UN 
Secretariat has sometimes attempted to define implementation 
 
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of this and other such commitments without the agreement of 
all Member States. 
 
-- The U.S. understands that there is an international 
consensus that the language in OP 21 does not create, 
recognize, or support a new goal, target, or indicator within 
the internationally agreed goals known as the Millennium 
Development Goals.  This language is identical to language in 
the World Summit Outcome Document, a carefully negotiated and 
well crafted document that sought to balance strongly held 
views.  Therefore, it is of the utmost importance to ensure 
that respect for this delicate balance be maintained.  To 
this end, it is important to reaffirm that the objective set 
forth in subparagraph 57(g) of the World Summit Outcome 
Document was seen as a means of achieving the goal of 
reducing maternal mortality and other MDG goals, rather than 
being a goal in and of itself. 
 
-- There are many elements that will be necessary to achieve 
the goals of reducing maternal mortality, increasing maternal 
health, reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, 
combating HIV/AIDS, and eradicating poverty.  For instance, 
increased attention must also be paid to preventable and/or 
treatable conditions such as malaria, tuberculosis, upper 
respiratory infections, and immunizable diseases. 
 
-- While neither these objectives nor the health objective in 
OP 21 constitutes a goal, target, or indicator in the context 
of the MDGs, all are important to achieving the goals aimed 
at reducing maternal mortality, increasing maternal health, 
reducing child mortality, promoting gender equality, 
combating HIV/AIDS, and eradicating poverty. 
 
 
END POINTS. 
RICE