Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08LONDON1183
2008-04-28 13:52:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy London
Cable title:
WESTERN SAHARA: UK UNDECIDED ABOUT UN STATEMENT
how-toVZCZCXRO9771 PP RUEHTRO DE RUEHLO #1183 1191352 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 281352Z APR 08 FM AMEMBASSY LONDON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8402 INFO RUEHAS/AMEMBASSY ALGIERS PRIORITY 0299 RUEHMD/AMEMBASSY MADRID PRIORITY 1165 RUEHNK/AMEMBASSY NOUAKCHOTT PRIORITY 0073 RUEHFR/AMEMBASSY PARIS PRIORITY 3191 RUEHRB/AMEMBASSY RABAT PRIORITY 0210 RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI PRIORITY 0240 RUEHTU/AMEMBASSY TUNIS PRIORITY 0230 RUEHCL/AMCONSUL CASABLANCA PRIORITY 0058 RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK PRIORITY 1171
C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 001183
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG FOR KAAILAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS UK FR MO AG WI UNSC
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: UK UNDECIDED ABOUT UN STATEMENT
REF: STATE 43376
Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Mills, reasons 1.4 b, d
C O N F I D E N T I A L LONDON 001183
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG FOR KAAILAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS UK FR MO AG WI UNSC
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: UK UNDECIDED ABOUT UN STATEMENT
REF: STATE 43376
Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Mills, reasons 1.4 b, d
1. (C) The UK has not yet decided whether to make a
statement at the April 29 UNSC meeting on the renewal of the
mandate for the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western
Sahara (MINURSO),FCO North Africa Team Leader Robert Dixon
told us in response to reftel demarche. If the UK does
decide to make a statement, it will not support the idea that
autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only realistic
solution for this dispute, Dixon said. This is because the
UK position must not only take into account sovereignty
issues involving its overseas territories, notably Gibraltar
and the Falkland Islands, but also because HMG believes the
best course is a settlement negotiated by both sides, not
imposed by the Security Council.
2. (C) The UK has discussed with the Polisario and Algeria
their unhappiness with the performance of UN Special Envoy
Peter Van Walsum, Dixon said, pointing out that compromise
will be necessary from all parties. On the MINURSO renewal
resolution, Dixon said the UK supports the draft SCR but
wants to scale back the language praising Van Walsum slightly
to neutralize possible backlash against him.
3. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom
TUTTLE
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA/MAG FOR KAAILAU
E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/28/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV PBTS UK FR MO AG WI UNSC
SUBJECT: WESTERN SAHARA: UK UNDECIDED ABOUT UN STATEMENT
REF: STATE 43376
Classified By: Political Counselor Richard Mills, reasons 1.4 b, d
1. (C) The UK has not yet decided whether to make a
statement at the April 29 UNSC meeting on the renewal of the
mandate for the UN Mission for the Referendum in Western
Sahara (MINURSO),FCO North Africa Team Leader Robert Dixon
told us in response to reftel demarche. If the UK does
decide to make a statement, it will not support the idea that
autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty is the only realistic
solution for this dispute, Dixon said. This is because the
UK position must not only take into account sovereignty
issues involving its overseas territories, notably Gibraltar
and the Falkland Islands, but also because HMG believes the
best course is a settlement negotiated by both sides, not
imposed by the Security Council.
2. (C) The UK has discussed with the Polisario and Algeria
their unhappiness with the performance of UN Special Envoy
Peter Van Walsum, Dixon said, pointing out that compromise
will be necessary from all parties. On the MINURSO renewal
resolution, Dixon said the UK supports the draft SCR but
wants to scale back the language praising Van Walsum slightly
to neutralize possible backlash against him.
3. (U) Tripoli minimize considered.
Visit London's Classified Website:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom
TUTTLE