RUSSIA THREATENS TECHNICAL VETO ON ZIMBABWE

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