GHANA: DEMARCHE ON GOLDSTONE REPORT

C O N F I D E N T I A L ACCRA 001034 SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/01/2019 TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KISL KPAL IS GH SUBJECT: GHANA: DEMARCHE ON GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: A. WILLS E-MAIL (9/30/09) ¶B. STATE 98567 Classified By: Charge d'Affaires Julie Furuta-Toy for reasons 1.4 (b) a nd (d). ¶1. (SBU) POL Chief delivered ref A points October 1 to the MFA's acting Chief Director Ambassador Kodjo Wadee, stressing the USG's desire to obtain a balanced resolution on the Goldstone Report and our opposition to a resolution that contains a blanket endorsement of the report, recommends that the ICC take up the matter, and maintains a one-sided focus on Israel. ¶2. (C) Ambassador Wadee said he would bring our message and request for support immediately to the Deputy Minister for consideration. While noncommittal regarding Ghanaian support ahead of the October 2 planned vote, Wadee said Ghana agrees with the need to avoid a polarized atmosphere within the Human Rights Council, and expressed support for the Obama Administration's effort to revive the Middle East Peace Process and move toward a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Wadee noted Ghana's good relationship with Israel, including the recent visit by Israel's Foreign Minister, and said that the Arab states had to take a hard line because of "extremist pressure" in their own countries. FURUTA-TOY