UNGA: IRAN REBUTS UNITED STATES ON HOLOCAUST

UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 001027 SIPDIS FOR IO, NEA, DRL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL AORC PHUM UNGA IR IS SUBJECT: UNGA: IRAN REBUTS UNITED STATES ON HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE ¶1. Summary: Iran was recalcitrant in the November 3 UN General Assembly (UNGA) debate in reaction to U.S. remarks on Iran's denial of the Holocaust, and complained generally of a UN conspiracy. End summary. ¶2. Citing the lessons of the Holocaust, U.S. Public Delegate Cheryl Halpern commended UN efforts to memorialize the victims and confront the threat of genocide in our day. Halpern called Iran to account for Holocaust denial, which is "unacceptable and unconscionable." Full USDel remarks are available at the Mission's web site, www.usunnewyork.usmission.gov. ¶3. After scheduled speakers concluded, Iran exercised the right of reply and attempted to defend against a "disinformation campaign" of "baseless and absurd distortions against Iran" organized in "certain circles" to "please a political group." Conceding "there is no justification for genocide," the Iranian said that the "Israeli regime" cannot exploit "past crimes as a pretext for new crimes." Video is available at www.un.org/webcast, search November 3. ¶4. The other speakers' remarks were supportive of the SYG's report under consideration. The Israeli PermRep expressed appreciation for the UN's outreach and turned her remarks to adapting "the lessons of Nazi genocide to the evolving threats of our time." She highlighted the Iranian call for Israel's destruction and denial of "the historical realities of the Holocaust." The Russian representative said that any attempt to whitewash history is unacceptable and called for vigilance against racism, discrimination and xenophobia. The French PermRep then reaffirmed the EU's commitment to combat anti-Semitism, racism, and "all forms of political, ethnic or religious intolerance." Austrian, Canadian and Australian representatives echoed these themes and detailed their nation's efforts to memorialize the Holocaust and prevent discrimination. The Rwandan representative condemned social attitudes that lead to genocide. ¶5. The SYG's report "Program of Outreach on the 'Holocaust and the UN'" (A/63/316) outlined UN collaboration with a network of civic and academic leaders in seminars, exhibitions, scholarly papers, panel discussions, films, online products, and the observance of the January 27 as the International Day of Commemoration. The outreach program has publicized survivors' accounts and continues to warn of the consequences of discrimination. Khalilzad