Cablegate: Demarche Delivered: Constructive Outcome From the Goldstone Report

VZCZCXRO2516
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHEG #1834 2661433
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 231433Z SEP 09
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3680
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA PRIORITY 0452
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 0308

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 001834

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR IO/RHS (RAZZOUK/ENAV) AND NEA/IPA (GIAUQUE)
GENEVA FOR CASSAYRE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/23/2029
TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER UN KISL KPAL IS EG
SUBJECT: DEMARCHE DELIVERED: CONSTRUCTIVE OUTCOME FROM THE GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: STATE 98567 Classified By: Economic-Political Minister-Counselor Donald A. Blome for reason 1.4 (b).
1.(C) On September 23, Economic-Political Minister-Counselor delivered reftel points on the Goldstone Report to MFA Deputy Assistant Minister for Human Rights Wael Aboulmagd, and separately to MFA Deputy Assistant Minister for the Americas Amin Meleka. Regarding USG principles for a balanced UN Human Rights Council (HRC) resolution (reftel), Aboulmagd identified three elements that he anticipated would be problematic for the GOE: noting the report without endorsing it, the definition of a "balanced" HRC resolution, and recognizing a state's right to legitimate self-defense.

2.(C) Aboulmagd explained that the GOE views the conflict as having been one-sided, so there would need to be discussions on what a balanced resolution would entail. He said the GOE is not certain that the issue of a state's legitimate self-defense is relevant to a HRC resolution. Aboulmagd noted that this was an initial response, and that the GOE is still studying the report. Scobey

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