TURKISH DEMARCHE RESPONSE: UNGA RESOLUTIONS ON THE

UNCLAS ANKARA 006141 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA PHUM PREL PTER LE IS TU SUBJECT: TURKISH DEMARCHE RESPONSE: UNGA RESOLUTIONS ON THE SITUATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND CHILDREN IN LEBANON REF: STATE 176793 ¶1. (SBU) The Turks share our concerns regarding the lack of balance in the NAM-sponsored UNGA resolutions related to the situation of children and human rights in Lebanon. We delivered reftel points October 26 to Turkish MFA Middle East Department Officer Cem Ulusoy, following a three-day end of Ramadan holiday. ¶2. (SBU) Ulusoy said MFA had already instructed its mission in New York to seek a more balanced approach on the resolutions, to take into account the suffering of all victims, including children, in both Lebanon and Israel. Ulusoy stressed that as an EU candidate country Turkey will coordinate its position with the EU. He also noted, however, that it would be difficult for Turkey to vote against the resolutions, particularly the one related to the situation of children. Ulusoy assured us the GOT's mission in New York will be working to seek a more reasonable approach that can attract broad support. Visit Ankara's Classified Web Site at http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/eur/ankara/ WILSON