Cablegate: Dutch Mfa On Un Action On Middle East

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002983

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2013
TAGS: PREL KPAL IS UNGA
SUBJECT: DUTCH MFA ON UN ACTION ON MIDDLE EAST

REF: SECSTATE 326258

Classified By: Political Counselor Mary E. Daly for reasons 1.5...

12431

2003-11-28

03THEHAGUE2983

Embassy The Hague

CONFIDENTIAL

03SECSTATE326258

C O N F I D E N T I A L THE HAGUE 002983

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/28/2013
TAGS: PREL KPAL IS UNGA
SUBJECT: DUTCH MFA ON UN ACTION ON MIDDLE EAST

REF: SECSTATE 326258

Classified By: Political Counselor Mary E. Daly for reasons 1.5 (b and
d)

(C): PolOff delivered reftel points to Dutch MFA Director of
UN Political and Judicial Affairs Pieter Ramaer on November
28. Ramaer said the EU cannot technically oppose the
convening of an Emergency Special Session of the General
Assembly, apart from conveying that the session is not
timely. Ramaer said he cannot imagine the EU will go
along with the Palestinian challenge to Israeli credentials.
Personally speaking, he said the challenge to Israeli
credentials doesn't stand a chance, and is just a mechanism
to draw attention to Palestinian and Arab frustration.
Regarding the request to seek an International Court of
Justice (ICJ) opinion on the legality of the Israeli
separation barrier, Ramaer noted the Dutch are not
enthusiastic about the ICJ and agree with the U.S. that
bringing ICJ into the peace process will only complicate
matters. He said he cannot yet predict what the EU will do
if in fact the ICJ resolution comes to a vote, but made it
clear there is a preference for keeping the ICJ out of the
Middle East Peace Process. Ramaer said he agrees with the
U.S. points regarding the Committee on the Exercise of the
Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, but thinks the
EU consensus will be for abstention with an explanatory vote
like last year. He asked for more time to check with his MFA
and New York colleagues about the Division of Palestinian
Rights, agreeing to contact PolOff on Monday with any further
information.
RUSSEL

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