UNGA/C-6: UNGA,S SIXTH (LEGAL) COMMITTEE DISCUSSES

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001026 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: UNGA SUBJECT: UNGA/C-6: UNGA,S SIXTH (LEGAL) COMMITTEE DISCUSSES PROTECTION OF DIPLOMATS REF: 07 USUNNEWYORK 914 ¶1. (U) Summary: UNGA's Sixth Committee held its debate on agenda item 77, "Consideration of effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions and representatives," on October 24. Many statements noted that concrete preventative measures were important to ensure the safety of diplomatic and consular missions. Iran made a strongly worded intervention against US and UK operations involving Iranian diplomatic and consular missions in Iraq, accusing them of violating international law. Turkey's address provoked a right of reply from Cyprus. The following delegations gave interventions: France (on behalf of the EU),Norway (on behalf of the Nordics),Canada (on behalf of CANZ),China, Cuba, Iran, Israel, Turkey, and Venezuela. Cyprus exercised its right-of-reply to Turkey's speech. End Summary. THE IMPORTANCE OF PREVENTION -------------- ¶2. (U) The EU and the Nordics condemned attacks against diplomatic and consular missions and urged states to honor their obligations to protect foreign missions. Canada, Australia, and New Zealand (CANZ) agreed that host states must be vigilant in defense of diplomats and missions and rigorous in prosecuting offenders. France, on behalf of the EU, added that international responsibility flowed from breaches of State obligations, such as to make reparation or to take remedial action. China advocated its own tactic, taking preventative measures instead of focusing on response. TURKEY AND CYPRUS EXCHANGE VIEWS -------------- ¶3. (U) Turkey argued that there was a functioning Turkish authority in northern Cyprus; however, the Greek side had been pursuing a policy of non-cooperation. Turkey urged the Greek side to work with Turkish authorities. In exercising a right-of-reply, Cyprus responded that there was only one government representing Cyprus. IRAN ATTACKS US AND UK OPERATIONS -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Iran accused the United States of attacking the Iranian Consulate in Erbil, Iraq during 2007. The Iranian representative said that the General Assembly had been informed of this incident in a letter (document A/61/706). Iran further claimed that the United States had taken five consular officers hostage, urging the release of the three officers which it claims are still being held. Iran also accused the United States of seizing sensitive papers and property of the Iranian Consulate, and of repeatedly targeting Iranian diplomats. Iran stated that US actions violated international law. In its intervention, Iran also accused the United Kingdom for perpetrating other attacks. (Comment: USUN did not exercise a right-of-reply during the debate. The Department may wish to consider preparing a written response to this and other allegations made by Iran. USUN will provide relevant documents to the Department in electronic form. End Comment.) Khalilzad