Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08MOSCOW1975
2008-07-10 12:04:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Moscow
Cable title:
RUSSIA THREATENS TECHNICAL VETO ON ZIMBABWE
how-toVZCZCXYZ0000 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHMO #1975 1921204 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 101204Z JUL 08 FM AMEMBASSY MOSCOW TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8972 INFO RUEHXD/MOSCOW POLITICAL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0436
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001975
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC ZI RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA THREATENS TECHNICAL VETO ON ZIMBABWE
RESOLUTION IF VOTE HELD JULY 10
REF: A. MOSCOW 1965
B. STATE 73173
Classified By: Ambassador John R. Beyrle. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
C O N F I D E N T I A L MOSCOW 001975
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC ZI RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA THREATENS TECHNICAL VETO ON ZIMBABWE
RESOLUTION IF VOTE HELD JULY 10
REF: A. MOSCOW 1965
B. STATE 73173
Classified By: Ambassador John R. Beyrle. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) MFA Director for International Organizations Gennadiy
Gatilov told us July 10 that Russia would most likely use a
technical veto citing lack of instructions if the U.S. called
for a vote on the Zimbabwe resolution today. He reiterated
the GOR's request to delay the vote until tomorrow, so as to
obtain President Medvedev's decision.
2. (C) Gatilov said Russia was not looking at introducing any
amendments to the U.S. text, but continued to have concerns
about the sanctions provisions in the resolution as well as
the message that the situation in Zimbabwe posed a threat to
international peace and security, thereby warranting a
Chapter 7 resolution. He said that negotiations between the
government and the opposition had started in Pretoria, and
the GOR believed there was still the possibility for them to
work something out. But Russia was concerned that a Chapter
7 resolution would cause the Zimbabwean government to cut off
the contacts. He added that Russia much preferred the South
African draft resolution, which he said did not close off the
chance for political contact between the sides, but also
contained provisions allowing the UNSC to take action later
if the negotiations failed.
BEYRLE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/10/2018
TAGS: PREL UNSC ZI RS
SUBJECT: RUSSIA THREATENS TECHNICAL VETO ON ZIMBABWE
RESOLUTION IF VOTE HELD JULY 10
REF: A. MOSCOW 1965
B. STATE 73173
Classified By: Ambassador John R. Beyrle. Reasons 1.4(b) and (d).
1. (C) MFA Director for International Organizations Gennadiy
Gatilov told us July 10 that Russia would most likely use a
technical veto citing lack of instructions if the U.S. called
for a vote on the Zimbabwe resolution today. He reiterated
the GOR's request to delay the vote until tomorrow, so as to
obtain President Medvedev's decision.
2. (C) Gatilov said Russia was not looking at introducing any
amendments to the U.S. text, but continued to have concerns
about the sanctions provisions in the resolution as well as
the message that the situation in Zimbabwe posed a threat to
international peace and security, thereby warranting a
Chapter 7 resolution. He said that negotiations between the
government and the opposition had started in Pretoria, and
the GOR believed there was still the possibility for them to
work something out. But Russia was concerned that a Chapter
7 resolution would cause the Zimbabwean government to cut off
the contacts. He added that Russia much preferred the South
African draft resolution, which he said did not close off the
chance for political contact between the sides, but also
contained provisions allowing the UNSC to take action later
if the negotiations failed.
BEYRLE