PRC ON POSSIBLE UNGA DISCUSSION OF GOLDSTONE

C O N F I D E N T I A L BEIJING 003036 SIPDIS IO/HR FOR KRUCHOWSKI; IO/UNP FOR MORRISON; NEA/IPA FOR GIAUQUE; USUN NEW YORK FOR GERMAIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/03/2029 TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER KPAL IS CH SUBJECT: PRC ON POSSIBLE UNGA DISCUSSION OF GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: A. STATE 112828 (NOTAL) ¶B. STATE 098567 (NOTAL) Classified By: Political Internal Unit Chief Graham Mayer. Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (SBU) On November 3, PolOff delivered to MFA International Organizations and Conferences Department Human Rights Affairs Division Deputy Director Shen Bo reftel points on the November 4 discussion of the Report of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on the Gaza conflict (the Goldstone Report) at the UN General Assembly (UNGA). Shen claimed the MFA had not been aware of the Arab Group resolution and promised to convey the U.S. position to China's UN mission. Shen said that the MFA and the Chinese UN mission would carefully study the draft resolution and remain in close contact with the U.S. Mission in New York. ¶2. (C) Shen restated familiar points on China's position on the Gaza conflict ) that both sides should resolve the problem through dialogue and negotiation, with the help of the international community, "including the United States and China." Shen did not offer any insight into whether China would support the resolution but noted that the responsibilities of the General Assembly were clearly defined in the UN Charter. The General Assembly, also a major organ of the UN, should take its responsibilities in accordance with the UN Charter, as well, Shen concluded. However, Shen characterized Arab Group concerns about human rights violations in the occupied territories, as "legitimate" and as such, appropriate for discussion at UN organizations such as the Human Rights Council. HUNTSMAN