Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06USUNNEWYORK909
2006-05-03 22:20:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:  

MINIMIZING UN CONTACTS WITH HAMAS

Tags:  EFIN IS PREL PTER UNDP 
pdf how-to read a cable
P 032220Z MAY 06
FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK
TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8907
INFO AMEMBASSY AMMAN PRIORITY 
AMEMBASSY TEL AVIV PRIORITY 
AMCONSUL JERUSALEM PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000909 


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2021
TAGS: EFIN IS PREL PTER UNDP
SUBJECT: MINIMIZING UN CONTACTS WITH HAMAS

REF: STATE 66100 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Ambassador Alex Wolff for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000909


E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/03/2021
TAGS: EFIN IS PREL PTER UNDP
SUBJECT: MINIMIZING UN CONTACTS WITH HAMAS

REF: STATE 66100 AND PREVIOUS

Classified By: Ambassador Alex Wolff for reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Ambassador Wolff transmitted reftel guidance May 3 to
UN Deputy Secretary General Malloch Brown laying out
guidelines for contacts by UN agencies with Hamas. Amb.
Wolff added that this issue remained of the utmost importance
and sensitivity to the U.S., and a breach of these guidelines
would have serious consequences. Noting that the guidelines
on contacts with Hamas may be seen by the UN as leaving room
for interpretation, Amb. Wolff underscored that there should
be no contacts at the political level with Hamas-led
ministries.


2. (C) While expressing appreciation for the U.S. response,
Malloch Brown noted that Hamas was trying to make adherence
to such guidelines difficult by insisting that contacts by
UNRWA with lower level officials were insufficient to get
certain tasks accomplished. He also noted that UNDP's work
often required direct contact with senior government
officials. Amb. Wolff responded that it would be best to
consult with us on such issues in advance. Malloch Brown
said that seeking approval from the U.S. could be damaging to
the UN's ability to perform its tasks. He cited also a
recent meeting between the UNRWA Director and the Israeli
Foreign Minister, despite a previous meeting between UNRWA
and the Palestinian Minister for Refugee Affairs, suggesting
that the Israelis were being more flexible on this point.
Amb. Wolff said that the potential consequences of UN
transgressions, including an end to funding by the U.S. of
certain UN programs, were sufficiently serious that the UN
would do well to consider how best to manage this issue with
us. Malloch Brown concluded by saying he thought there
should be further discussions within the Quartet on this
matter as the situation evolved.


BOLTON