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