AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON GOLDSTONE

UNCLAS CANBERRA 000926 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (SUBJECT, SIGNATURE) SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL PHUM PTER IS KPAL SUBJECT: AUSTRALIA SUPPORTS U.S. POSITION ON GOLDSTONE REPORT REF: STATE 106423 ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Australia will support the U.S. position on the Goldstone Report (State 106423) and will instruct its UN Missions in New York and Geneva to coordinate with their U.S. counterparts. DFAT Security Council Task Force Head Bassim Blazey, who is acting First Assistant Secretary for IO, told us October 14 that he would instruct the Australian Mission in New York to look for an opportunity to speak at the UNSC Open Debate. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SUB) Pol/EconCouns delivered the demarche (State 106423) to Acting 1st Assistant Secretary for International Organizations, Bassim Blazey. Blazey was receptive and indicated Australia's willingness to work with the United States on this issue. ¶3. (SBU) According to Blazey, Australia will instruct its U.N. delegations in New York and Geneva to coordinate with the U.S. delegations prior to the Security Council Meeting on the 14th of October and the Human Rights Committee on the 15th and 16th. Australia will support the U.S. position on the Gladstone Report and the peace process, and that will oppose any effort to have the Security Council take up the issue. Blazey agreed that he would encourage the Australian delegation to try and find an opportunity to speak during the open debate at the Security Council. CLUNE