Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08USUNNEWYORK988
2008-10-30 14:03:00
UNCLASSIFIED
USUN New York
Cable title:
UNGA/C-6: UNGA,S SIXTH (LEGAL) COMMITTEE DISCUSSES
how-toVZCZCXYZ0024 PP RUEHWEB DE RUCNDT #0988 3041403 ZNR UUUUU ZZH P 301403Z OCT 08 FM USMISSION USUN NEW YORK TO SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5206
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000988
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA
SUBJECT: UNGA/C-6: UNGA,S SIXTH (LEGAL) COMMITTEE DISCUSSES
THE GENEVA CONVENTION PROTOCOLS
UNCLAS USUN NEW YORK 000988
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA
SUBJECT: UNGA/C-6: UNGA,S SIXTH (LEGAL) COMMITTEE DISCUSSES
THE GENEVA CONVENTION PROTOCOLS
1. The 63rd UNGA Sixth Committee held its debate on agenda
item 76, "Status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva
Conventions of 1949 and Relating to the Protection of Victims
of Armed Conflicts," from October 23-24. The majority of
delegations used this debate to list the efforts their own
countries had made to support and implement international
humanitarian law (IHL). Many delegations urged Member States
to ratify and implement the Additional Protocols to the
Geneva Conventions.
2. Cuba and Syria accused Israel of violating IHL in regard
to Palestinians. In a lengthy statement, the Syrian
representative said that Israel has systematically targeted
civilians, including children and the elderly. Syria accused
Israel of destroying homes, monuments, houses of worship, and
natural resources. Additionally, Syria stated that Israel
has illegally used cluster munitions. Syria concluded that
Israel should not be absolved of its legal responsibilities
under the 4th Geneva Convention. Exercising its right of
reply, Israel expressed regret that a member state had abused
the platform of the debate on the Geneva Conventions in such
a way, despite the limited time allotted for this topic.
Israel pointed out that this state was under investigation
for using and supporting terrorism to promote political
objectives and concluded that such an abuse of the debate
forum should be condemned.
3. The following delegations spoke: Australia (on behalf of
CANZ),Mexico (on behalf of the Rio Group),France (on behalf
of the EU),Sweden (on behalf of the Nordic countries),KENYA
(on behalf of the Africa Group),Algeria, Columbia, Cuba,
Japan, Qatar, Russia, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, the
United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam. The following observers
also gave interventions: the International Committee of the
Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies.
Khalilzad
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: UNGA
SUBJECT: UNGA/C-6: UNGA,S SIXTH (LEGAL) COMMITTEE DISCUSSES
THE GENEVA CONVENTION PROTOCOLS
1. The 63rd UNGA Sixth Committee held its debate on agenda
item 76, "Status of the Protocols Additional to the Geneva
Conventions of 1949 and Relating to the Protection of Victims
of Armed Conflicts," from October 23-24. The majority of
delegations used this debate to list the efforts their own
countries had made to support and implement international
humanitarian law (IHL). Many delegations urged Member States
to ratify and implement the Additional Protocols to the
Geneva Conventions.
2. Cuba and Syria accused Israel of violating IHL in regard
to Palestinians. In a lengthy statement, the Syrian
representative said that Israel has systematically targeted
civilians, including children and the elderly. Syria accused
Israel of destroying homes, monuments, houses of worship, and
natural resources. Additionally, Syria stated that Israel
has illegally used cluster munitions. Syria concluded that
Israel should not be absolved of its legal responsibilities
under the 4th Geneva Convention. Exercising its right of
reply, Israel expressed regret that a member state had abused
the platform of the debate on the Geneva Conventions in such
a way, despite the limited time allotted for this topic.
Israel pointed out that this state was under investigation
for using and supporting terrorism to promote political
objectives and concluded that such an abuse of the debate
forum should be condemned.
3. The following delegations spoke: Australia (on behalf of
CANZ),Mexico (on behalf of the Rio Group),France (on behalf
of the EU),Sweden (on behalf of the Nordic countries),KENYA
(on behalf of the Africa Group),Algeria, Columbia, Cuba,
Japan, Qatar, Russia, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tunisia, the
United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam. The following observers
also gave interventions: the International Committee of the
Red Cross and the International Federation of Red Cross and
Red Crescent Societies.
Khalilzad