GUATEMALA LIKELY TO ABSTAIN OR OPPOSE UNGA

C O N F I D E N T I A L GUATEMALA 001112

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR WHA/CEN AND IO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 02/10/2014
TAGS: PREL KPAL GT UNGA
SUBJECT: GUATEMALA LIKELY TO ABSTAIN OR OPPOSE UNGA
PALESTINIAN RESOLUTION

REF: STATE 99626

Classified By: Acting PolCouns Erik Hall. Reason 1.5 (b&d).


1. (C) The Ambassador raised the Palestinian resolution with
Foreign Minister Briz on May 5, urging Guatemala to oppose
the UNGA resolution on Palestine. Briz said it was the first
he had heard of the issue, and asked his staff to "look into
it." PolOff also delivered the demarche to Carla Rodriguez,
Director General for Multilateral Affairs at the Foreign
Ministry, who said no decision had yet been taken, but
speculated that Guatemala might oppose the resolution but if
not, would certainly abstain.


2. (C) According to Rodriguez, the GOG will be sensitive to
the positions of other countries in Central America, Latin
America and Europe on this issue. Initial indications of the
positions of other countries on the resolution were "not
encouraging," she said. Costa Rica plans to vote in favor,
Salvador and Nicaragua plan to be absent, Honduras and the
Dominican Republic plan to abstain or be absent from the
session. Rodriguez said she was not aware of the positions
of Panama or Belize. Brazil, Mexico and Argentina will vote
in favor or abstain. The Europeans are divided between
abstaining and opposing.
HAMILTON