Page "United Nations Human Rights Council" Paragraph 196

In regard to the United Nations Human Rights Council, the position of the United States is: " human rights have been a cornerstone of American values since the country's birth and the United States is committed to support the work of the UN Commission in promoting the principles embodied in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

U. S. President George W. Bush declared that the United States would not seek a seat on the Council, saying it would be more effective from the outside.

He did pledge, however, to support the Council financially.

State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, " We will work closely with partners in the international community to encourage the council to address serious cases of human rights abuse in countries such as Iran, Cuba, Zimbabwe, Burma, Sudan, and North Korea.