Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BRUSSELS1766
2008-11-21 17:21:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Brussels
Cable title:
BELGIUM: OPPOSING UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH
how-toVZCZCXRO6786 RR RUEHAG RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHBS #1766 3261721 ZNY CCCCC ZZH R 211721Z NOV 08 FM AMEMBASSY BRUSSELS TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8244 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001766
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS IO/UNP ANDREW MORRISON AND EUR/PGI JODY
BUCKNEBERG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA IS PA LE SY BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: OPPOSING UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH
ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS
REF: SECSTATE 123081
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason for reason
C O N F I D E N T I A L BRUSSELS 001766
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS IO/UNP ANDREW MORRISON AND EUR/PGI JODY
BUCKNEBERG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA IS PA LE SY BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: OPPOSING UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH
ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS
REF: SECSTATE 123081
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason for reason 1.
4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Poloff received feedback November 21 on reftel
demarche from Belgian MFA UN Security Council interlocutor
covering Middle East issues, Cristophe De Bassompierre. De
Bassompierre cautioned the U.S. not to expect any significant
change in Belgian or E.U. voting patterns on Israel-Palestine
issues. The E.U.'s main effort is expended in maintaining
unity on these issues among member states, with Malta and
Cyprus the most likely to break ranks due to closeness to the
Palestinians. On the three specific committee resolutions
referenced, he predicted that the E.U. would continue to
abstain if the measures had the same wording. If the wording
were changed, E.U. voting might move to yes or no, depending
on the specifics.
2. (C) De Bassompierre said that Belgium and the E.U. are
also concerned with the numbers of anti-Israeli measures and
have tried to reduce them in the past, but the current
environment in the U.N. ensured that numerous resolutions
would continue to be introduced.
3. (C) The E.U. prefers to abstain on these resolutions, as
it does not wish to be overly negative towards Palestinian
aspirations. The E.U. seeks to maintain its influence as an
intermediary between the Palestinians and Israelis and avoid
taking stances that would lead to a worsening of the close
relationship.
FOX.
.
SIPDIS
PLEASE PASS IO/UNP ANDREW MORRISON AND EUR/PGI JODY
BUCKNEBERG
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/20/2018
TAGS: PREL UNGA IS PA LE SY BE
SUBJECT: BELGIUM: OPPOSING UNGA RESOLUTIONS WITH
ANTI-ISRAEL BIAS
REF: SECSTATE 123081
Classified By: Political Economic Counselor Richard Eason for reason 1.
4 (B) and (D).
1. (C) Poloff received feedback November 21 on reftel
demarche from Belgian MFA UN Security Council interlocutor
covering Middle East issues, Cristophe De Bassompierre. De
Bassompierre cautioned the U.S. not to expect any significant
change in Belgian or E.U. voting patterns on Israel-Palestine
issues. The E.U.'s main effort is expended in maintaining
unity on these issues among member states, with Malta and
Cyprus the most likely to break ranks due to closeness to the
Palestinians. On the three specific committee resolutions
referenced, he predicted that the E.U. would continue to
abstain if the measures had the same wording. If the wording
were changed, E.U. voting might move to yes or no, depending
on the specifics.
2. (C) De Bassompierre said that Belgium and the E.U. are
also concerned with the numbers of anti-Israeli measures and
have tried to reduce them in the past, but the current
environment in the U.N. ensured that numerous resolutions
would continue to be introduced.
3. (C) The E.U. prefers to abstain on these resolutions, as
it does not wish to be overly negative towards Palestinian
aspirations. The E.U. seeks to maintain its influence as an
intermediary between the Palestinians and Israelis and avoid
taking stances that would lead to a worsening of the close
relationship.
FOX.
.