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TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7514
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RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS 0405
RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI 0005
RUEHKU/AMEMBASSY KUWAIT 1612
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 0823
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RUEHSM/AMEMBASSY STOCKHOLM 0638
RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS 0125

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000988 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL UNGA
SUBJECT: SIXTH COMMITTEE: GENERAL DEBATE ON RULE OF LAW 
 
¶1. Summary:  On October 14, General Debate began on Sixth 
Committee Agenda Item 83: Rule of Law at the National and 
International Levels.  Over fifty delegations (including the 
United States) and two Observer Missions addressed the Sixth 
Committee with most delegations making similar points on the 
importance of adhering to and strengthening the rule of law 
at the international level, which was the sub-topic for this 
year's debate as previously agreed.  The Deputy 
Secretary-General highlighted the work of the Rule of Law 
Coordination and Resource Group.  Serbia and Albania ended 
the general debate by exercising their rights of reply over 
Kosovo. 
 
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REGIONAL STATEMENTS 
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¶2. Canada, on behalf of Canada, Australia, New Zealand 
(CANZ), stressed the importance of adhering to rule of law 
and welcomed the Secretary-General's (SYG) Report (A/64/298) 
on the Rule of Law.  CANZ praised the efforts of the Rule of 
Law Coordination and Resource Group and Rule of Law Unit. 
 
¶3. Vietnam, representing ASEAN, also thanked the SYG for his 
report.  ASEAN announced that it recently adopted a new 
charter in December 2008 which reaffirmed compliance with 
international law and committed to a "rules-based, 
people-centered, and more integrated ASEAN." 
 
¶4. Mexico, on behalf of the RIO Group, promoted the SYG 
report, specifically the assessment that violations of 
international law need to be addressed through peaceful 
means.  Mexico expressed the RIO Group's support for the 
International Court of Justice (ICJ) and other tribunals such 
as the International Criminal Court and the International 
Tribunal for Law of the Sea.  Mexico paid tribute to the 
Geneva Conventions and Protocols and noted that the United 
Nations is best suited to play a central role in rule of law. 
 
 
¶5. Tunisia, on behalf of the African Group, also promoted the 
principles of the U.N. charter and the ICJ.  The African 
Group criticized what it characterized as the selective use 
of universal jurisdiction against African leaders. 
 
¶6. Sweden, on behalf of the European Union, stated that 
strengthening the rule of law was a priority for its members. 
 It welcomed the SYG report and advocated for a greater nexus 
between national and international law.  Sweden reaffirmed 
that the adherence to rule of law is critical for conflict 
prevention and resolution.  Finally, it recognized the work 
of the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group and the 
Rule of Law Unit. 
 
¶7. Iran, on behalf of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), 
observed that the rule of law on the international level 
needs more attention.  According to the NAM, international 
law needs to address the following: the principle of 
sovereign equality; ending selective application of 
international law; the respect of legitimate and legal rights 
of states under international law; and the prohibition of the 
threat or use of force in international relations. 
 
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DEPUTY SYG ADDRESS 
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¶8. Deputy Secretary-General Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro addressed 
the Sixth Committee to describe the work of the Rule of Law 
Group.  She urged Member States to fulfill their obligations 
under international law and noted that strengthening the rule 
of law is instrumental in achieving U.N. goals.  Migiro said 
her report on rule of law outlines activities to bolster the 
peaceful settlement of disputes.  She encouraged attaching 
rule of law training to development assistance and said the 
Group was looking for a country to be the pilot for the joint 
program on rule of law. 
 
- - - - - - - - 
COMMON THEMES 
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¶9. Public Delegate Laura Ross delivered the U.S. statement 
which focused on the importance of rule of law in promoting 
peace and security as well as in facilitating trade and 
 
development.  She cited recent Obama administration actions, 
such as, among other things, the order to close the detention 
facility in Guantanamo Bay, the signing of the Convention on 
the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and United States 
membership of the Human Rights Council, as examples of the 
United States' commitment to the rule of law. 
 
¶10. Many of the speeches highlighted similar themes.  Most 
countries affirmed their support for adherence to the rule of 
law and for strengthening rule of law at the international 
level.  Nearly all Member States commended the SYG for his 
report on rule of law and the efforts of the Rule of Law Unit 
and the Rule of Law Coordination and Resource Group.  These 
same delegations supported the efforts of the ICJ and 
promoted the peaceful resolution of disputes according to 
international law.  Some noted that there were too many 
violations of international law and these needed to be 
addressed (e.g. Norway, Serbia, Azerbaijan, and Kuwait). 
 
¶11. Several OIC and NAM countries (notably Cuba, Syria, UAE, 
Iran, Pakistan, and Venezuela) complained to the Sixth 
Committee about the selective application of the rule of law 
by some Member States.  In addition, numerous Member States 
reaffirmed the principle of sovereign equality.  Several 
delegations criticized the Security Council for encroaching 
on the functions of other U.N. bodies (Cuba, Mozambique, 
Syria, Algeria) while others called for its reform (El 
Salvador and India). 
 
¶12. Several notable statements included Kuwait and Venezuela. 
 Kuwait criticized Israel for committing war crimes and 
crimes against humanity, in addition to violating human 
rights laws and international humanitarian law.  In addition, 
Kuwait (as well as Libya and UAE) referenced the recent 
Goldstone report in its condemnation of Israel. 
 
¶13. Venezuela, without naming the United States disparaged a 
country for using its hegemonic power to maintain the status 
quo in the United Nations.  It blamed this country for the 
coup d'etat in Venezuela and the wars in Iraq and 
Afghanistan.  Venezuela called for the democratization of the 
United Nations, legal equality among Member States, 
territorial integrity and an end to "hateful distinctions." 
In addition, Venezuela criticized the permanent members of 
the Security Council for flouting the U.N. Charter and for 
making it impossible to achieve lasting peace and security. 
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - 
SERBIA'S RIGHT OF REPLY 
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¶14. Serbia exercised its right of reply to criticize Albania 
for disrespecting international law and the rule of law by 
implying the existence of Kosovo.  Serbia condemned this 
action, claiming that Kosovo's existence was illegal, and 
that the issue was currently pending before the International 
Court of Justice.  Albania responded with its own right of 
reply commenting that no State should dictate to another 
State which States it should or should not recognize. 
Furthermore, Albania pointed out, over one third of the 
United Nations has already recognized Kosovo. 
Rice