MOZAMBIQUE: RESPONSE TO MESSAGE ON PALESTINIAN

UNCLAS MAPUTO 000194 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE AF/S FOR HTREGER NSC FOR CCOURVILLE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MZ KPAL SUBJECT: MOZAMBIQUE: RESPONSE TO MESSAGE ON PALESTINIAN ASSISTANCE REF: A. STATE 21256 ¶B. MAPUTO 150 ¶1. (SBU) On February 9 poloff delivered reftel talking points to Faizal Cassam, Department of African and Middle East Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Cassam stated that the GRM had yet to issue a public statement on the results of the Palestinian election and indicated that Mozambique would take a "wait and see" stance on future cooperation with the new Palestinian Authority. He added that the GRM would support and encourage a negotiated solution that would allow for the peaceful coexistence of the Israeli and Palestinian states. ¶2. (U) As reported in Ref B, during an interview with the press at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, President Guebuza gave his reaction to the Hamas victory, stating that the GRM would "react in accordance with the rules that govern relations between states." Guebuza added that Mozambique would urge any new Palestinian leadership to adopt a policy that favored continued dialogue in support of "peace for all." La Lime