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F:\Cable\Data_Source\Cables\CD038\Jul99\M3939490.htm Page 1 of 10 Cable PREC: PRIORITY CLASS: UNCLASSIFIED LINE1: PAAUZYUW RUEHCAA3396 1821312-UUUU--RHEHAAX LINE2: ZNR UUUUU ZZH LINE3: P R 011307Z JUL 99 LINE4: FM SECSTATE WASHDC OSRI: RUEHC DTG: 011307Z JUL 99 ORIG: SECSTATE WASHDC TO: RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0000 INFO: RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 0000 SUBJ: 1503 RESPONSE: NAVAJO-HOPI LAND DISPUTE AND MINING, G/SO 215/1 USA 1372 TEXT: UNCLAS STATE 123396 E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM, UNCHR-1, US SUBJECT: 1503 RESPONSE: NAVAJO-HOPI LAND DISPUTE AND MINING, G/SO 215/1 USA 1372 REF: A. 98 GENEVA 6450 B. 97 STATE 123795 1. FOLLOWING IS THE RESPONSE OF THE USG, UNDER PROVISIONS OF ECOSOC RESOLUTION 1503, TO A COMMUNICATION CONCERNING THE NAVAJO NATION AND HOPI TRIBE. THE COMMUNICATION WAS RECEIVED UNDER COVER OF UN SECRETARIAT NOTE NO. G/SO 215/1 USA 1372 DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998. MISSION IS REQUESTED TO TRANSMIT THIS RESPONSE IN FULL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO THE UN HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS UNDER COVER OF A DIPLOMATIC NOTE FOR DISTRIBUTION IN ITS ENTIRETY TO THE 1999 SESSION OF THE WORKING GROUP ON COMMUNICATIONS OF THE SUB-COMMISSION. A COPY OF THIS RESPONSE SHOULD BE TRANSMITTED AS WELL TO DAVID WEISSBRODT, THE U.S. INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON THE SUB-COMMISSION. 2. BEGIN TEXT: RESPONSE OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA TO UN SECRETARIAT NOTE NO. G/SO 215/1 USA 1372 DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WELCOMES THE OPPORTUNITY TO RESPOND TO THE ABOVE-MENTIONED SECRETARIAT NOTE THAT TRANSMITTED COMMUNICATIONS OBJECTING TO THE TREATMENT OF NAVAJO FAMILIES WHO CURRENTLY RESIDE ON LANDS THAT ARE PART OF THE NAVAJO AND HOPI RESERVATIONS. THE LETTERS CLAIM THAT NAVAJO INDIANS ARE BEING FORCED OFF THEIR LAND TO ALLOW COAL MINING. THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT