Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LISBON205
2008-01-24 14:09:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
PORTUGAL PUSHES FOR BALANCED HRC RESOLUTION ON GAZA
how-toVZCZCXRO0239 OO RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR DE RUEHLI #0205 0241409 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 241409Z JAN 08 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 6593 INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE 0550
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000205
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL EUN PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL PUSHES FOR BALANCED HRC RESOLUTION ON GAZA
REF: STATE 7232
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reason 1.4 (b)
C O N F I D E N T I A L LISBON 000205
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL EUN PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL PUSHES FOR BALANCED HRC RESOLUTION ON GAZA
REF: STATE 7232
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reason 1.4 (b)
1. (C) Pol-Econ Counselor and Poloff jointly delivered reftel
demarche points to MFA officials in both the Middle East and
the UN/Human Rights Offices urging a common position against
the proposed Human Rights Council (HRC) special resolution on
Gaza as presented in reftel. UN Affairs Officer Goncalo
Silvestre replied that Portugal shares U.S. concerns
regarding the draft resolution's language and were pressing
their position in discussions with partner countries in
Geneva.
2. (C) According to Silvestre, Portugal wanted three changes
made to the resolution text before it would support a common
European position vote in favor, specifically the inclusion
of: (1) references to the rocket attacks against Israel since
the New Year; (2) language expressing concern over military
action taken by both sides, rather than solely condemning
Israeli operations; and (3) language expressing support for
the peace process generally and the Roadmap specifically.
Silvestre noted that the discussions were among Western
European nations, not necessarily the EU as a whole. He
offered to share further information about discussions on
January 24 as it became available.
3. (C) Comment: The focus of internal EU discussions in
Geneva appears to be on improving the resolution rather than
on rejecting it outright. Although Portugal is not a member
of the Human Rights Council, its diplomats in Geneva are
actively involved in that effort. End comment.
Stephenson
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/24/2018
TAGS: PHUM PREL EUN PO
SUBJECT: PORTUGAL PUSHES FOR BALANCED HRC RESOLUTION ON GAZA
REF: STATE 7232
Classified By: Dana M. Brown, Pol-Econ Officer, Embassy Lisbon
Reason 1.4 (b)
1. (C) Pol-Econ Counselor and Poloff jointly delivered reftel
demarche points to MFA officials in both the Middle East and
the UN/Human Rights Offices urging a common position against
the proposed Human Rights Council (HRC) special resolution on
Gaza as presented in reftel. UN Affairs Officer Goncalo
Silvestre replied that Portugal shares U.S. concerns
regarding the draft resolution's language and were pressing
their position in discussions with partner countries in
Geneva.
2. (C) According to Silvestre, Portugal wanted three changes
made to the resolution text before it would support a common
European position vote in favor, specifically the inclusion
of: (1) references to the rocket attacks against Israel since
the New Year; (2) language expressing concern over military
action taken by both sides, rather than solely condemning
Israeli operations; and (3) language expressing support for
the peace process generally and the Roadmap specifically.
Silvestre noted that the discussions were among Western
European nations, not necessarily the EU as a whole. He
offered to share further information about discussions on
January 24 as it became available.
3. (C) Comment: The focus of internal EU discussions in
Geneva appears to be on improving the resolution rather than
on rejecting it outright. Although Portugal is not a member
of the Human Rights Council, its diplomats in Geneva are
actively involved in that effort. End comment.
Stephenson