GUATEMALA ON MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTIONS AT UNGA

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002857 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL KPAL IS GT UNSC SUBJECT: GUATEMALA ON MIDDLE EAST RESOLUTIONS AT UNGA REF: STATE 305553 PolOff discussed reftel points with Luis Carranza, Acting Director for Multilateral Affairs at the Foreign Ministry on November 6. Carranza promised to forward our points to Vice Minister Aguilera and to Guatemalan Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Rosenthall, for comment. Carranza said that Guatemala agreed in principle with our argument that repetitive, one-sided, and purely political UNGA resolutions were not helpful, and he added that his government's initial view of our proposals was positive, especially the effort to consolidate resolutions. However, Carranza cautioned that Guatemala would carefully consider Arab positions on these issues, especially those of the Palestinian representative. Carranza added that the NAM had yet to form a position, and Guatemala would take its views into consideration before mapping its own votes. HAMILTON