TFLE01: CYPRUS PARLIAMENT CONDEMNS ISRAELI ACTION

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

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/14/2016
TAGS: PGOV PREL LE IS CY
SUBJECT: TFLE01: CYPRUS PARLIAMENT CONDEMNS ISRAELI ACTION


Classified By: Ambassador Ronald L. Schlicher, reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) The Cyprus House of Representatives on July 13
unanimously passed a resolution condemning Israel's attacks
against Lebanon and the Palestinian territories (full text
follows). The resolution criticized Israel's "flagrant
violation" of international law, calling it "state
terrorism." While the House did "not condone" the abductions
of Israeli soldiers, it criticized Israel for using them as a
"pretext" for attacks. The resolution has not been reported
widely in the local press so far.


2. (C) Our sources in parliament tell us that the text was
quietly agreed among party leaders, prodded along by the
communist AKEL party, then quickly passed without debate in
the full chamber. The head of the center-right opposition
DISY, who might have sought to moderate the tone of the
resolution, was reportedly not on hand for the leaders'
drafting session. According to one of his DISY allies, AKEL
was therefore able to ram through a more polemical draft.


3. (C) COMMENT: Yesterday's shrill parliamentary resolution
contrasts with FM Lillikas's careful statement that the GOC
disagrees with "any attacks against any country" and supports
a peaceful settlement through political means and based on
UNSCRs. The FM's cautious statement reflects the GOC's
desire to protect what it perceives to be Cyprus's position
as an honest broker in the region -- as well as the broader
public's fairly moderate views on the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Greek Cypriots, recalling their own experiences with war and
invasion, may sympathize with Palestinians and Lebanese --
but anti-Israeli sentiments are not particularly pronounced
here. Coverage of the ongoing conflict in the Greek Cypriot
press has been extensive and fairly critical of Israel -- but
public reaction to the ongoing crisis has so far been limited
to polemical statements issued by AKEL and a raft of smaller
leftist parties.


4. (C) Separately, we anticipate the GOC will be supportive
of any efforts we may need to mount from Cyprus in support of
Embassy Beirut. We do not consider parliament's resolution
to be an accurate barometer of public opinion beyond the
vocal left wing. END COMMENT.


5. (U) BEGIN TEXT OF ROC PARLIAMENTARY RESOLUTION (unofficial
Embassy translation):

The House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus,
following with concern developments in the Middle East
region, and particularly the escalating military aggression
against the Palestinian territories and the sovereign state
of Lebanon, unanimously resolves as follows:


I. Condemns strongly and unreservedly Israel's aggression
resulting in the death of innocent people;

II. Considers that Israel's actions flagrantly violate the
territorial integrity and sovereignty of the state of
Lebanon, international law, and the pertinent UN resolutions,
and are tantamount to state terrorism;

III. Regards that Israel's conduct shatters efforts aimed
at promoting peace in the wider Middle East region and
undermines world security;

IV. Does not condone the abductions of Israeli soldiers,
which the state of Israel uses as a pretext in order to
perpetuate attacks that further exacerbate the already tense
situation;


V. Reaffirms its solidarity with and support of the
Palestinian people, the Lebanese people, and all Arab peoples;

VI. Reaffirms all its previous resolutions on the
situation in the Middle East;

VII. Expects that the United Nations Security Council will
urgently deal with the matter for the purpose of terminating
Israel's actions and implementing all its pertinent
resolution.

END TEXT OF PARLIAMENTARY RESOLUTION.
SCHLICHER