VICTIMS OF TERRORISM MEETING SCHEDULED FOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L USUN NEW YORK 000705 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/06/2018 TAGS: PTER UNGA SUBJECT: VICTIMS OF TERRORISM MEETING SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER Classified By: Amb. Alejandro D. Wolff, for reasons 1.4(b) and (d). ¶1. (U) Summary: The Secretary-General plans to convene a meeting of victims of terrorism at the UN on September 9. Among the featured speakers will be Colombian/French terrorist hostage Ingrid Betancourt, U.S. 9/11 victims leader Carrie Lemack and non-U.S. citizen survivors of the Kenya and Tanzanian Embassy bombings. End Summary. ¶2. (C) UN Assistant-Secretary General Robert Orr told Ambassador Wolff on August 7 that the Secretary-General has decided to proceed with the UN meeting on victims. (The event will not be an official UN meeting but invitations will be issued by the Secretary-General to participants). Orr said that all efforts will be made to minimize disruption of the meeting and he expects only one or two states (including Syria) to raise contentious issues. (Comment: USUN also anticipates that Cuba and Venezuela will raise the Posada case again. End Comment). ¶3. (U) The focus of the event will be support of victims. The two panels will be led by strong moderators and speakers will include victims from various parts of the world as well as experts. Among those invited to speak will be Ingrid Betacourt, Carrie Lamack, who leads the largest 9/11 victims group and non-American U.S. Embassy employees from Tanzania and Kenya. Ms. Lemack is the only American speaking. Other representatives of "9/11" related organizations will be invited as observers. ¶4. (C) Orr told Wolff that the Israelis are very keen to have this event take place. Israeli Mission officers say that they view it as generally positive, if handled correctly. The Israeli Deputy Permanent Representative has met with Orr several times to discuss plans. The Israeli's main concerns have been the identity of the Israeli victim selected to participate and strong opposition to inviting any Palestinian "victim", since this would presuppose Israel was committing terrorism. Although Orr has not disclosed to them who is on the list sent to the Secretary General, he has "hinted that they should not worry" and will be very pleased with the event. On this basis, the Israeli Mission is satisfied with the event as planned. ¶5. (U) USUN will provide additional information as available. Wolff