Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK705
2008-08-06 20:45:00
CONFIDENTIAL
USUN New York
Cable title:
VICTIMS OF TERRORISM MEETING SCHEDULED FOR
how-toVZCZCXYZ0016 PP RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #0705 2192045 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 062045Z AUG 08 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4758
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).
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
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